EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

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 […]

Supermarket and warehouse club sales outpaced retail from '07 - '12

According to a report released by the U.S. Government called “2012 Census of Retail Trade,” supermarket sales outpaced overall retail sales between 2007 and 2012. Supermarket sales grew by 15.2% during the period, which is nearly twice as much as all other retail, which grew by 7.8%. And with sales growth of 25.1% over the […]

A&P looking for buyers

Last week A&P, which operates under the Super Fresh and Pathmark banners in the Greater Philadelphia market, acknowledged that it is “seeking alternatives for its business,” adding that a sale of the company was only one of its options. In other words, A&P is for sale. According to a New York Post story, A&P is […]

Gap Closing 175 North American Stores

Philly.com Article Gap to close 175 North American stores Gap (GPS) said Monday it will also close a “limited number” of Gap stores in Europe over the next few years. Store closures will only affect Gap stores, and not its other brands — Banana Republic, Old Navy, Intermix and Athleta — or its outlet and factory stores, […]

Target Express Proposed for 19th & Walnut in Philadelphia

Target Corp. will open in miniature at the Boyd Theater development site, tapping Center City’s growing base of workers and residents amid the retailer’s nationwide introduction of smaller shops tailored to urban storefronts. Philly.com Article

Shoe Carnival Has New Small-Market Store Format

The store would be about 5,000 SF. Courier & Press Article

Saladworks Acquired

Private equity bought the company out of bankruptcy. Restaurant News Article Saladworks has been acquired out of bankruptcy by Centre Lane Partners, a New York City-based private-equity firm, the company said Monday. Centre Lane agreed to pay $16.9 million for the 108-unit chain, including $15 million in cash and $1.2 million into a “brand development […]