EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

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

Aldi employees at MN store to vote on unionization

Aldi employees at a store in St. Paul, Minnesota will decide next month if they want to be represented by a union. A positive vote would result in the first unionized store in the U.S. for Aldi. Stay tuned…

A&P going local with store design and product mix

A new marketing strategy for A&P and its brands (including Pathmark and Super Fresh in the Philadelphia region) is emerging as the formerly bankrupt company tries to increase sales and profits. The new approach, which includes physical improvements and merchandise tailored to the stores’ locations, reflects an attempt to make each location “the supermarket of […]

Bed Bath & Beyond Buys Cost Plus

As reported on 5/9/12 by the Wall Street Journal, Bed Bath & Beyond acquired Cost Plus.   Wall Street Journal Article Cost Plus World Market Web Site

Traditional supermarkets lost stores in 2011, high-end grocers added stores

Supermarket powers Safeway, Kroger and Supervalu closed more traditional stores than they opened last year, while higher- and lower-end stores continued to add stores.   Safeway, which includes Genuardi’s in the Greater Philadelphia region, ended 2011 with 1,678 stores, a net decrease of 16 locations (22 closures and 6 openings). Kroger, the only chain of […]