EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Albertsons files for IPO

Earlier this month, Albertsons, the second-largest traditional supermarket operator in the United States (behind Kroger), filed for an initial public offering. The IPO, which comes only a couple years after an investor group led by Cerberus Capital Management purchased the company from Supervalu, is expected to raise about $100 million. Albertsons said it plans to […]

Acme to bid on bankrupt A&P stores

One day after A&P filed for bankruptcy for the second time in five years, Acme announced today that it will bid to acquire 76 A&P, Superfresh and Pathmark stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. In a statement by A&P earlier today, the company said it plans to sell 120 stores in total for about […]

Whole Foods overcharging is "worst case of mislabeling" inspectors have seen

Not surprisingly, the New York Daily News story about alleged overcharging by Whole Foods started off with “Rip-off on aisle four.” The newspaper reported that New York City officials launched a probe of Whole Foods after investigators claimed the eight city stores routinely overcharged customers for groceries during dozens of inspections dating back to 2010. […]

Developers planning for North Philadelphia supermarket

According to a story posted on Philly.com in June, developers are making plans for apartments and a supermarket on the vacant land surrounded by Fairmount Ave., 13th Street and Ridge Avenue in North Philadelphia. Plans include the preservation of the Divine Lorraine Hotel, once a grand hotel but now a vacant, boarded up building. RAL […]

ShopRite to open in Bethlehem Township later this month

A ShopRite-anchored mixed-use development is nearing completion in Bethlehem Township. Developers of the project, known as Madison Farms, are now leasing luxury apartments, and both ShopRite and Starbucks plan to open in the next few weeks. Other retailers planned for the project include Supercuts, Subway, Elements Massage, Heartland Dental, Pet Valu, Provident Bank and Verizon […]

Save-A-Lot planning for corporate store growth

In a May conference call with analysts, Supervalu President and CEO Sam Duncan said the company’s goal is to open up to 100 new Save-A-Lot locations this year, including about 60 corporate stores. Beginning in 2018, Duncan projects 150 Save-A-Lot openings per year and anticipates the same 60-40 corporate – licensee mix. “Supervalu wants to […]

Lidl seen as legitimate threat to U.S. supermarkets

Supermarket News Reporter Neil Stern recently characterized Lidl, the European grocer that is making plans to open stores in the Eastern U.S., as a formidable threat to U.S. supermarkets. Stern cited Lidl’s similarities to European counterpart Aldi, and noted Aldi’s measured approach to the American market and their ability to adapt their concept to U.S. tastes. […]

Ahold and Delhaize to merge, form one of largest supermarket chains in U.S.

Ahold (Giant, Stop & Shop) and Delhaize (Food Lion, Hannaford) announced this morning that the two companies plan to merge and become Ahold Delhaize, creating one of the largest supermarket chains in the U.S. The merger would create a company with 2,000 U.S. stores (6,500 stores worldwide), $44 billion in sales and 375,000 employees. By […]

TargetExpress to open in Center City Philadelphia

Target announced last week that it plans to open a TargetExpress store next summer at 19th and Chestnut in Philadelphia, and according to reports, the company is already considering a second Center City location. Earlier this year Target announced that it would open TargetExpress stores in urban areas, including San Francisco and Chicago. The Philadelphia […]

Dollar Tree to sell 330 stores

Dollar Tree announced last month that it will sell 330 stores to private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which will operate the stores under the Dollar Express banner. Dollar Express was a Philadelphia-based company that was acquired by Dollar Tree in 2000. The sale addresses regulatory concerns brought about by the planned merger between Dollar Tree […]