EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

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 […]

Thomas H. Lee Buys Into Party City

Thomas H. Lee Partners, LP bought a majority stake in Party City.  One week earlier, they also bought Fogo de Chao Churrascaria LLC, a steakhouse operator.    Business Week Article

Acme's parent company to lay of workers in CA, NV

Acme’s parent company, Supervalu, announced last week that it plans to layoff 2,200 – 2,500 employees at its Albertsons supermarkets in California and Nevada later this month. Supervalu, headquartered in Minnesota, is trying to lower costs, pay down debt from its 2006 Albertsons acquisition, and compete more successfully with rivals like Safeway and Kroger.

McCaffrey's to acquire Genuardi's in Newtown, PA

On Monday I referenced a Food Trade News story that said the Newtown, PA Genuardi’s will be acquired by an independent operator rather than by Giant, as previously planned. Yesterday it was announced that the independent operator is actually McCaffrey’s Market, which operates stores in nearby Lower Makefield, PA as well as East Windsor and […]

The Fresh Market reports significant first quarter gains

Last week The Fresh Market, which operates 116 stores in 21 states – including three in Greater Philadelphia, announced a first quarter net income increase of 43% over the same quarter one year ago.   Net income for the fiscal first quarter, which ended April 29, 2012, was $19.3 million. Sales totaled $324.8 million, up […]

Weis Markets to close on 3 Genuardi's stores next week

I’ve written before about Giant’s plan to take over 16 Genuardi’s stores (The Genuardi’s list – sold, closing and still for sale…) and Weis Markets’ acquisition of three Genuardi’s locations (Weis to buy three PA Genuardi’s stores), but not much has been said about when all these changes will take place. One of the first […]

Are the Big Box Stores Dying?

This article from Time provides a good overview of what has happened to the big box stores, especially Best Buy, in recent past.  It provides some insight into the direction of store sizes and what the landscape could look like in the future.  It’s worth reading. Time Business Article