EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Last Genuardi's store closes in Audubon

The last operating Genuardi’s supermarket, in the Audubon Village Shopping Center in Audubon, PA, closed on May 27. According to a store employee, the lease expired and another operator may take over in the location. Genuardi’s, once a popular chain in the Greater Philadelphia Region, was purchased by Safeway in 2001, and in recent years […]

Wawa wants to sell beer in Chadds Ford store

Philly.com reported today that Wawa wants to sell beer at its store on Naamans Creek Road in Chadds Ford. According to a Wawa spokesperson, the company views this as a “single-store expansion.” The spokesperson also said they may look to expand their offerings in the future. The Philly.com article points out that the nearby Acme […]

Whole Foods to open "365 by Whole Foods Market" stores

Whole Foods has been talking about its new, smaller format since May, and rumors have been swirling about what they will call the chain. It was reported today that Co-CEO Walter Robb told the Associated Press the name will be “365 by Whole Foods Market,” which reflects the name of their house brand, “365 Everyday […]

Giant and Food Lion parent companies in merger talks

Ahold and Delhaize confirmed last month that they are in the early stages of merger talks, and analysts believe a deal could be struck this year. Ahold is the parent company for Ahold USA, which includes Giant Food, Martin’s, Stop & Shop, and Peapod. The Delhaize Group includes Delhaize America, which consists of Food Lion […]

Center to be anchored by Costco under construction in Lehigh Valley

Construction began last month for Hamilton Crossings, the Trexlertown, PA retail center that plans to include Costco, Target, Whole Foods, Nordstrom’s Rack, Dick’s and PetSmart, among others. In all, developers Tim Harrison and the Goldenberg Group expect the center to include 33 retailers. The projected opening date is in July, 2016.

Costco's success a result of CEO's leadership

Costco is successful, and I believe the primary reason is Chairman and CEO Craig Jelinek and his business philosophy. Examples of his beliefs are evident in the following quotes from an article published last month by Supermarket News. “Companies sometimes lose their way because they lose their core values and culture. Your business can evolve, […]

Whole Foods to launch value-focused format

It was widely reported last week that Whole Foods plans to launch a new value-focused format that will be “unlike anything that currently exists in the marketplace,” according to Co-CEO Walter Robb. Robb added that the company has already begun negotiating leases, is building a team to focus exclusively on the new concept, and expects a […]

Analyst says Albertsons IPO speculation is premature

The supermarket trade publications have been buzzing with reports about an Albertsons IPO now that the Safeway merger has taken place. However, a Wall Street analyst told Supermarket News last week that the reports are probably premature. The analyst cited the difference in the two companies’ go-to-market strategies, and the fact that Safeway has a loyalty […]

Weis plans for $92 million in capital spending

Weis announced late last month that they plan to invest $92 million in capital spending this year to grow and upgrade its stores, information technology systems and supply chain. According to Chairman Jonathan Weis, there are 12 store projects underway and another 23 in active planning stages. There is also a major upgrade planned for […]

Aldi on the verge of changing the grocery landscape

A Forbes article published last month characterized Aldi as a nuisance to many of America’s most venerable food retailers and manufacturers, and called it a major force that is on the verge of changing the grocery retailing landscape. The story cited Aldi’s strategy of selling largely its own privately branded knockoffs of established American foods, […]