EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Wegmans anchors "service center" in Glen Mills, PA

Wegmans’ 88th store opened a couple weeks ago in Glen Mills, PA, in a center focusing on service, according to Peter Miller of Carlino Commercial Development. “There is a lot of food, medical, grocery, restaurant, and some service with banking and an AT&T, and fewer soft goods retailers,” said Miller. “This is what this center […]

A&P has sold 167 of 296 stores; all remaining supermarkets to go dark by Thanksgiving

To quote the Food Trade News, “The wind down of the once iconic Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company goes on and the results continue to be underwhelming.” The publications November issue reports that 167 of the 296 stores have been sold, with another 20 awaiting sales approval from the bankruptcy court. All the stores […]

York Capital Acquiring Houlihan's

Restaurant News Aritcle York Capital Management has signed a definitive agreement to buy the parent company of Houlihan’s, the Leawood, Kan.-based restaurant operator said Monday. York is buying Houlihan’s Restaurants Inc. from a subsidiary of Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison. Terms were not disclosed, but HRI said the transaction was expected to close in December. Restaurant veteran […]

Walmart focusing on freshness

A Supermarket News story last week reported that Walmart is making a significant effort to increase the company’s emphasis on fresh products in its stores. For instance, a Walmart official said they are improving product quality and variety in the bakery section, where they have brought in new products and better quality recipes. “Bakery is […]

Lidl breaks ground on U.S. distribution center

Lidl, the German discounter and Aldi rival that plans to open stores in the U.S. by 2018, broke ground for a new regional headquarters and distribution center in Fredericksburg, VA last Tuesday. The company’s U.S. headquarters is planned for Arlington, VA. Lidl operates about 10,000 stores in 26 countries throughout Europe, and has been securing […]

A&P to put store names up for auction

Now that A&P’s bankruptcy proceedings, including the auctions for its remaining stores, are winding down, the company announced that it plans to take bids for its intellectual property, including brand names for its stores and private brands, its slogans and customer data. Brands up for grabs include A&P, Pathmark, Waldbaum’s, Super Fresh, Food Basics and […]

Walmart and Costco are the top two global retailers; Kroger, Lidl and Aldi in the top 10

The top 25 global retailers based on 2015 sales in U.S. dollars, according to an annual list compiled by Planet Retail:   Walmart Costco Carrefour Kroger Tesco Seven & I Schwarz Group (Lidl) Walgreens Boots Alliance AEON Aldi Target Auchan Metro Group CVS Casino Group Woolworths Rewe Group Edeka Albertsons Leclerc Coles Group Ahold ITM […]

Aldi's fastest growing line: organic

A recent article on Bloomberg.com said that Aldi is now trying to make itself more attractive to the type of customer that shops at Trader Joe’s. According to the report, Aldi U.S. CEO Jason Hart believes that American shoppers are increasingly concerned with the content and quality of the food they eat, so the company, […]

Bridgestone to Buy Pep Boys

Iconic auto repair chain Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack agreed to be bought by tire giant Bridgestone Americas Inc. for $835 million, or $15 a share cash. The all-cash deal, which represents a premium of 23% over the stock’s closing price Friday, will be structured as a tender offer to close as soon as next year. At least a […]

Costco to Build 32 New Stores In the U.S. and Abroad

Costco Wholesale Corp. is feeling the pain of lower fuel prices and the stronger dollar, but the warehouse retailer is pushing ahead with plans to open more stores in the U.S. and abroad as it attracts new customers. Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said the retailer continues to see growth opportunities in the U.S., Canada […]