EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Big boxes don't want to be so big anymore

The Wall Street Journal article below reports on a number of traditional big box stores that are shifting to smaller stores, and in many cases, finding other products or businesses to take some of their space. For instance:   A Rockford, IL dental clinic rented space in two area Kmarts last year; Sears rented 34,000 […]

Giant parent, Ahold, to be a player in the U.S. acquisitions market

The story below from Supermarket News amounts to Ahold (Giant) serving notice that it plans to be a bigger player in the United States in the next few years. ‘Things Are Happening’ in Acquisitions Market: Ahold

Blackstone to buy Centro's 588 U.S. shopping centers

The Wall Street Journal story below outlines the $9.4 billion deal that will transfer ownership of 588 shopping centers from Centro Properties Group to Blackstone Group. Blackstone wins bidding for Centro’s U.S. assets

Target Sets More Food Expansion

Target announced yesterday that it plans to add its “Pfresh” grocery section to 380 more stores this year. In 2010, Target added 341 grocery sections to its stores. The company also announced plans to open its first small urban format – “City Target” – in 2012 in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Here’s […]

A&P Seeks To Reward Employees with $6.8M Incentive Plan

A&P wants to retain key employees while it operates under chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, so, pending the court’s permission, it plans to reward its 146 salaried employees with up to $6.8 million (approx $46,500 per employee). This plan is sure to make headlines, as initial public reaction will be negative. But the fact of the […]

Walmart, Target, 800 pound gorillas and traditional grocers

According to a report published by the Gerson Lehrman Group, we will see a dramatic decline in the number of traditional grocers over the next 5-10 years, in large part due to the continued market share growth of Walmart and Target. The report states that Walmart currently owns 33% of the grocery channel, and in 10 […]

Supermarket News' Top 50 Independent and Small-Chain Supermarket Operators

The Supermarket News compiled a list of the top 50 independent and small-chain supermarket operators whose volumes fall below $1 billion. Tops on the list is Fareway Stores, an Iowa chain that operates 96 stores and has sales of $950 million (2009). All but seven companies on the list work with distributors. Of those operators […]

Indian Remains Unearthed At Future Safeway Site

Contractors deal with all sorts of headaches. In this case, their headache came in the form of, well… heads. Last week, construction of a Safeway supermarket in Pleasanton, CA – home of Safeway’s corporate headquarters – was halted after a team of archaeologists uncovered a trove of American Indian remains. In fact, 19 sets of […]

Borders files for bankruptcy, will close 200 stores

The bankruptcy list continues to grow, with Borders the latest to fall. The second-biggest U.S. book chain announced it will close 200 stores immediately, with another 75 to follow if concessions aren’t won from landlords. Borders listed debt of $1.29 billion and assets of $1.28 billion as of December 25. The 200 stores closing immediately […]

Super Fresh and Pathmark closing 10 more stores

Bankrupt A&P said this morning that they plan to close 10 stores in Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware over the next couple months. Below is the list of stores to close. According to the president of the meat cutters’ union, which stands to lose 240 jobs, more closings may be on the way. Pathmark Saucon […]