EQUITY RETAIL BLOG

Amelia's parent company could fetch $1 billion in sale

Grocery Outlet, the discount supermarket with a remarkable track record of profitability and parent company of Amelia’s, is exploring a sale that may bring more than $1 billion, according to reports. The company’s private equity owner, Berkshire Partners, LLC, has hired Barclays and Goldman Sachs to run a sale process. Grocery Outlet, whose stores are […]

Whole Foods, Target, Costco center gets green light in Lower Macungie, PA

Earlier this month the Lower Macungie, PA commissioners voted 3-2 to create a tax financing district at the Route 222 bypass and Krocks Road, which will pave the way for the Hamilton Crossings shopping center that will feature Whole Foods, Costco, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods and other retailers. A land development plan was also approved […]

Competition gaining on Whole Foods as organic and natural markets grow

Whole Foods officials told analysts last month during the company’s earnings conference call to expect profits to be under pressure for the next couple years. The company cited growing competition for sales of natural and organic products, and what could be a prolonged period of price investments and internal cost reductions. “I think it’s important to understand that competition […]

Walmart's Neighborhood Market enjoying positive results, growth

Walmart announced last month that comparable-store sales in its Neighborhood Market division increased by about 5% in the fiscal first quarter. Company officials said the results validate their “strategy to accelerate unit growth.” Walmart’s Neighborhood Market, which it describes as grocery-drug combination stores that average about 38,000 square feet, has shown 46 consecutive months of positive comps. Between […]

Ravitz to open PriceRite in Camden

Ravitz Family Market, the Wakefern Cooperative member planning to open a ShopRite in Camden (ShopRite to open 75,000 SF store in Camden), announced last month that it would also open a PriceRite store in the city’s vacant Pathmark location. The company owns five other ShopRite stores in New Jersey. PriceRite is expected to open in […]

Ahold investing in freshness, training and price reductions

Ahold announced last week that its U.S. pilot program that invests more heavily in the quality and merchandising of its fresh assortment, in employee training and in targeted price reductions, resulted in “encouraging volume uplifts” and will be rolled out more extensively, especially in New England. The announcement came as Ahold’s first quarter results revealed […]

The Fresh Market expanding in CA, TX and FL

The Fresh Market isn’t worried about Whole Foods’ competitive price positioning and feels it is less prone to price sensitivity than its competitors, according to CFO Jeffrey Ackerman. “Our view is that people are coming to us for the quality of the service, the quality of the food and a different shopping experience,” Ackerman said last […]

Fresh Grocer closes NJ store in "food desert"

The Fresh Grocer closed its New Brunswick, NJ store on May 24 after less than two years in operation. The store, located in a downtown “food desert,” was not able to generate enough business, according to owner Pat Burns. The company, which became part of the Wakefern cooperative last year, operates six other locations in Pennsylvania […]

Wegmans updates pubs, lets servers accept tips

Wegmans announced last month that it had reopened two of its restaurants – in Collegeville and Malvern, PA – with “refreshed decor and an updated menu.” The restaurants, each known as The Pub at Wegmans, will also now let servers accept tips. Overall, Wegmans operates five pubs and tips had been allowed at the others, […]

Some New Walmart Strategy

This brief article gives the reader insight on some of Walmart’s strategy on rolling out their stores, especially new concepts.  CSPnet.com Article Walmart U.S. accelerates small store growth BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 20, 2014 – Behind a real estate strategy focused on providing the broadest selection of products and convenient access through a digitally connected, multi-format portfolio, […]