EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Wakefern members on list of Top 50 Small Chains

Supermarket News released its annual list of the Top 50 Small Chains and Independent Supermarkets. Listed at number two on the list (but actually tied for the top spot) was Inserra Supermarkets, a New Jersey-based Wakefern member that operates 22 stores under the ShopRite banner. Inserra has annual sales of $1.2 billion, according to the […]

Target to open eight more TargetExpress stores this year

Earlier this month Target announced that it plans to open 15 new stores this year, including eight small-format stores known as TargetExpress. These “quick-trip, convenience” stores are typically about 20,000 square feet and designed to cater to “growing city populations.” TargetExpress offers smaller package sizes geared towards instant consumption, like grab-and-go sandwiches, and “everyday essentials” like […]

Amelia's conversion to Grocery Outlet banner nearly complete

As I reported last fall (Amelia’s Grocery Outlet parent…), Grocery Outlet has been in the process of converting the Amelia’s banner to Grocery Outlet, which will result in a consistent name throughout the entire country. It was reported yesterday that the conversion is nearly done. Starting tomorrow, visitors to Amelia’s website will be redirected to […]

Wegmans tops annual "reputation" survey

Wegmans came out on top in the 16th annual Harris Poll Reputation Quotient study, which ranks companies’ perceived reputations. Wegmans was the only company to rank among the top five in each category – social responsibility, emotional appeal, products and services, vision and leadership, financial performance, and workplace environment. Also on the list: 2. Amazon.com […]

Redner's succeeding by controlling costs

A Supermarket News story earlier this month reported that employee-owned Redner’s Warehouse Markets is competing successfully with Walmart and others thanks to rigorous cost controls. The company’s site selection strategy serves as a good example of these controls. “We tend to go to smaller rural towns or the outskirts of urban areas just due to […]

Primark's First U.S. Stores

Five of the first seven stores are revealed in this article.  CoStar Article Primark: The retail sensation that’s cheaper than H&M “We want to be known first and foremost for amazing prices,” says John Bason, finance director of Primark’s parent company Associated British Foods (ASBFY). Prices in Primark stores may be similar to what you find in Walmart (WMT). […]

FTC approves Safeway - Albertsons merger

On Tuesday the Federal Trade Commission approved the Safeway – Albertsons merger, setting the stage for the deal to close in a matter of days. In order to gain approval, both parties agreed to divest 168 stores in eight states. None of the stores slated for closure are in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. The combined […]

Walmart leads list of top 75 food retailers

The Supermarket News released its annual list of the top 75 food retailers in the United States and Canada. Here’s a summary: The top 10: 1.  Walmart *2.  Kroger3.  Costco *4.  Loblaw (Canadian grocer)5.  Safeway6.  Publix7.  Ahold (Giant et al)8.  C&S Wholesale Grocers9.  Albertsons (Acme et al)10. H-E-B * includes sales of consumable items only […]

Whole Foods celebrates five years at Plymouth Meeting Mall

It’s been five years since Whole Foods Market opened its 65,000 square foot store at the Plymouth Meeting Mall. Although Mall stalwarts Macy’s and Boscov’s are three times the size of the supermarket, the store’s popularity make it a safe bet to refer to the mall as “Whole Foods – anchored.” Although I don’t have […]

Family Dollar approves deal with Dollar Tree

It was announced this morning that Family Dollar shareholders approved the proposed $8.5 billion merger with Dollar Tree, ending months of speculation over whether Dollar Tree or Dollar General would merge with Family Dollar. According to reports, the combined companies will operate more than 13,000 stores in 48 states and Canada, with sales of more […]