EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Spring Is In The Air!

Small Business Owners’ Optimism Reaches 22-Year High As we approach spring, there’s a prevailing sense of optimism. There are many strong indicators, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq marking their best February performance since 2015, and the Dow exhibiting its strongest showing since 2021. Notably, inflation appears to be easing, as reflected in the 2.4% […]

Philly Displays Robust Retail Sector

In the evolving landscape of Philadelphia’s commercial real estate market between the first quarters of 2020 and 2024, distinct trends have emerged in major property sectors—retail, industrial, multifamily, and office. Contrary to expectations, the retail sector displayed remarkable resilience amid the pandemic, benefiting from robust consumer spending and restrained new construction. Strong spending from consumers, […]

FTC files lawsuit to stop Kroger-Albertsons merger

The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit Monday to block the proposed Kroger – Albertson $24.6 billion merger, claiming it would be an “anticompetitive” deal that would create a monopoly. Attorneys general from Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wyoming joined the lawsuit. AGs in Washington and Colorado […]

Fresh produce now sold at more than 5,000 Dollar General stores

Earlier this year Dollar General reported that it now offers fresh fruits and vegetables at more than 5,000 locations. The company operates more than 19,000 stores in 48 states with plans for continued expansion. Former Dollar General CEO Jeffrey Owen announced the company’s intention to offer fresh produce in at least 5,000 stores by the […]

Wegmans planning second Manhattan store

Wegmans confirmed that it signed a lease for a 58,874 square foot former Bed Bath and Beyond store in Manhattan at 1932 Broadway. The company currently operates one Manhattan store, which it opened last year at 770 Broadway, the former site of the Astor Place Kmart. “Prior to opening our Astor Place store, we were […]

Grocery Outlet to acquire United Grocery Outlet

Grocery Outlet announced that it plans to acquire United Grocery Outlet, a discount grocer operating in the Southeast. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of this year. United Grocery Outlet, which is celebrating its 50th year in business, has 40 stores in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Virginia. Grocery […]

US Consumer Confidence Highest Since 2021

In January, there was a noteworthy uptick in US consumer confidence, which hit the highest point since the end of 2021. This surge was underpinned by an increasingly positive outlook on the economy and job market, coupled with a more optimistic perspective on inflation. According to data released on Tuesday, the Conference Board’s sentiment gauge […]

Kroger pledges to lower prices and invest in stores following merger with Albertsons

As Kroger faces regulatory scrutiny over its planned acquisition of Albertsons, the company says it will lower prices following the merger. Specifically, Kroger says it will invest $500 million to lower prices following the close of the deal, and invest $1.3 billion to improve Albertsons stores. Kroger added that it invested more than $125 million […]

Wawa to open modular construction stores with drive-thru

An article posted on C-Store Dive’s website earlier this week stated that Wawa is planning to open drive-thru locations made using modular construction methods. The buildings are fabricated off-site with the pieces then assembled on location, according to a spokesperson for Modlogiq, the construction company Wawa is working with. Modligiq also said the first location […]

Placer names Kroger as most visited grocery store in 2023

Data analytics firm Placer.ai named Kroger as 2023’s most popular grocery banner in the U.S. in terms of foot traffic. Placer’s end-of-year recap report said that Kroger and its banner locations captured 18.8% of annual grocery foot traffic. Other top five grocery retailers included Publix (17%), Safeway (10.5%), Aldi (9.4%), and H-E-B (8.7%). Walmart Neighborhood […]