Supermarket operator Safeway (NYSE: SWY) announced a payout increase dividend shoppers may want to take a look at. The California-based company said it will boost its quarterly dividend by 20% to 12 cents a share. Safeway operates stores under the Dominick's, Safeway and Vons names. The new dividend is payable on July 15th to shareholders of record on June 24th.

Specialty chemicals maker Ashland (NYSE: ASH) doubled its quarterly dividend to 15 cents a share from 7.5 cents. Ashland has been diligent about bolstering its balance sheet through asset sales following the company's acquisition of rival Hercules and the lower debt burden appears to be directly benefiting shareholders.

The Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index will replace Zenith National Insurance (NYSE: ZNT) with H.J. Heinz (NYSE: HNZ) because Zenith is being acquired by Fairfax Financial (NSYE: FFH). The change will take place on May 21st. The index tracks the 100 highest dividend-paying companies in the U.S.

Canadian gold miner GoldCorp (NYSE: GG) said it will consider boosting its dividend in 2011 as production increases and rising gold prices are helping the company bolster its cash position. GoldCorp currently pays an annual dividend of 18 cents a share.