Retail sales and vacancy rates at odds in recent reports, but wait…
Sales: According to Thomson Reuters data on 25 major chains, retail sales in the U.S. increased 1.7% in March, despite a late Easter, high unemployment and rising gasoline prices. Analysts had expected that sales would fall 0.7%. And according to a story in The Wall Street Journal, U.S. retailers expect solid spring sales, despite gas prices, inflation […]
Mark Bittman hails food and grocery efforts in Philly
Mark Bittman blogs for The New York Times in a column called Opinionator, and a couple days ago he wrote an interesting piece on the increase in supermarkets and food options in the city of Philadelphia. In fact, he called Philly one of the most progressive cities in the country when it comes to food. […]
Bottom Dollar may be expanding to Pittsburgh
The Supermarket News article below states that Bottom Dollar may be expanding to Pittsburgh with as many as 11 stores. They are an established brand in the Philadelphia market now after opening 18 stores in the last year, although many people have commented on the lack of cars in some of their parking lots during […]
Aldi vs. Walmart, Part II
Shortly after blogging yesterday about The New York Times‘ piece on Aldi’s and Walmart’s move to urban areas, I read a brief analysis about the two retailers. A Gerson Lehrman Group expert contributor wrote that Aldi has quietly drawn the battle lines for market share against Walmart’s new small format initiative. The author believes Aldi […]
Aldi succeeds in urban areas as Walmart struggles to gain access
The New York Times story below reports on Aldi’s success in the United States. The company has been able to move into urban areas with much success and seemingly no barriers (and non-union workers), while Walmart continues to face a wave of opposition from unions, politicians and residents alike. And the fact that the Aldi […]
Study: Third of Shoppers Shun C-Store Food
A “third of shoppers” haven’t been to Wawa. I bet if this study was limited to the Philadelphia region, the results would be much different. Wawa isn’t your average convenience store. How many times have you driven past a deli or supermarket to get a sandwich at Wawa? I do it all the time. As […]
Unions Warn of Potential A&P Strike
Labor unions are worried that A&P may seek bankruptcy court approval to reject labor contracts or lower wages and benefits without bargaining. So, in a message to union members, the union president said they may have no choice but to strike if that should happen. More details in the following Supermarket News story: Unions Warn […]
Shopping center executives remain optimistic, says ICSC survey
Earlier this month the International Council of Shopping Centers released the results of their February Shopping Center Executive Opinion Survey, which revealed that business conditions improved for the fourth-straight month. The Business Barometer reached 55.3%, which was the second-highest month reported since April 2007. (A reading of 50% means industry conditions were relatively unchanged […]
Stop & Shop to buy 5 Foodtown stores in New Jersey
Stop & Shop and Foodtown said they have a tentative deal that will result in the sale of five New Jersey Foodtown stores, currently owned by Norkus Enterprises, to Stop & Shop later this spring. Stop & Shop is a division of Ahold, which also owns Giant. The Foodtown stores are in Freehold Township, Manalapan, […]
Boston neighborhood doesn’t want Whole Foods
Whenever my friends and neighbors talk to me about vacant supermarkets, they inevitably ask if there’s a chance for a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. So, a story from the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plains caught my eye. Although I don’t know the details, it’s clear that there is strong opposition to Whole Foods. Whole […]