EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Supervalu cutting marketing positions

Supervalu (Acme, Save-A-Lot in Greater Philly) announced yesterday it is cutting 39 marketing positions. The company did not specify whether the employees losing their jobs are based at the Eden Prairie, MN headquarters, located elsewhere or a combination of the two. Supervalu has been in the news lately due to the speculation that it’s a […]

Family Dollar to sell more refrigerated and frozen foods

Family Dollar reported yesterday that they plan to continue to increase their assortment of food offered for sale, including a greater selection of refrigerated and frozen foods. Largely as a result of the company’s partnership with McLane Co., Family Dollar said it added 150 food SKUs in February and expects to add 250 more by […]

Keep a Watchful Eye on JCPenney

President Michael Francis, formerly of Target, left JCPenney after only eight months in the wake of the failed effort to update pricing, product offerings, and store formats. Reuters Article JCPenney President Michael Francis Steps Down After Just 8 Months JCPenney president Michael Francis is leaving the company, effective today. CEO Ron Johnson will take up his responsibilities, which included […]

Giant conversion of 15 Genuardi's stores to start this week

The 15 Genuardi’s stores sold to Giant (and approved by the Federal Trade Commission) will all be converted by the end of July. Here’s the schedule: Phase 1 – stores to close June 28 and re-open July 8 West Chester Huntingdon Valley Jamison Kennett Square North Wales Phase 2 – stores to close July 5 […]

Market Study: ShopRite, Giant tops again in Greater Philly sales

I received the highly anticipated Market Study issue of the Food Trade News last week.  As usual, there was an incredible amount of information about the supermarket industry in the PA, NJ and DE markets. The headline was that ShopRite remains a strong leader (based on total sales) in the 55-county market area that stretches […]

Bernie Kenny turning Delaware ShopRite business over to son Chris

After more than 50 years in the supermarket business and 12 years as the chief executive of Delaware Supermarkets Inc., Bernard Kenny is stepping down. His son, Chris Kenny, will become CEO while Bernard will remain active as chairman. Delaware Supermarkets currently has five stores under the ShopRite (Wakefern) brand, and has a 15% share […]

Supervalu can be bought at a big discount, analysts say

Supervalu (Acme, Save-A-Lot), which operates more than 2,000 supermarkets in the U.S. including Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s, continues to generate press as a  takeover target. Last week, Bloomberg said that Supervalu “is offering private equity shoppers the biggest discount of any supermarket chain in America.” Here’s why: The company is expected to turn a profit […]

More on the McCaffrey's-Giant-Genuardi's deal...

Although I already wrote about McCaffrey’s deal with Giant to take the Genuardi’s space in Newtown, PA (McCaffrey’s to acquire Genuardi’s in Newtown, PA), Maria Panaritis’ story in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer sheds more light on the deal. Philadelphia Inquirer: In the end, a small supermarket chain gets its Genuardi’s

Walmart Express Stores - So Far So Good

The first Walmart Express stores are profitable within first year of operation.  The 12,000-15,000 square foot stores carry everything a shopper might need at the spur of the moment.  More stores to come… Business Week Article Reuters Article

Walmart less threatening to supermarkets than it used to be

Supermarket News asks food retailers every year “which alternative channel has posed the biggest threat to Center Store sales in supermarkets?” Walmart has consistently remained the top threat, but the fear they put into supermarket competitors is obviously diminishing. In 2009, 64% of respondents listed Walmart as the number one threat. In 2010, 50% of […]