Costco online sales up 43.5%
Costco reported earlier this month that its online sales increased 43.5% compared to the same quarter last year, largely due to website improvements, the ability for shoppers to buy items online and pick them up at the store, and the recent launch of new delivery options. In addition, the company reported that it continues to […]
Wakefern introduces Price Rite Marketplace
The Wakefern Food Corp cooperative launched a rebranding of the Price Rite banner and unveiled its first fully rebranded store under the new Price Rite Marketplace name in Secane, PA last month. According to a story in Supermarket News, the store is brighter and includes new signage, a whitewashed wood backdrop, and various new offerings. […]
Sprouts willing to acquire or be acquired
Sprouts CEO Amin Maredia said earlier this month that the company is open to acquisition talks, and at the same time is open to purchasing another business. “This is an interesting time to be looking at M&A from both perspectives,” said Maredia. “There’s certainly one element we can control, which is looking for interesting opportunities […]
Target acquires Shipt, plans same-day delivery
Target announced earlier this month that it plans to acquire Shipt, an Instacart competitor that currently serves 72 US markets and delivers products to customers from supermarket chains including H-E-B, Harris Teeter and Meijer, among others. Target has agreed to pay $550 million for the company and expects to roll out same-day delivery services to […]
Lidl shifting strategy, may consider leasing, smaller stores
Lidl announced earlier this month that it is changing its real estate strategy and may now consider leasing sites, and opening stores in the 10,000 to 21,000 square foot range. Up until now the company has said it would only purchase properties where it would construct 36,000 square foot stores. William Harwood, Lidl’s director of […]
Ahold suspends Bfresh small format concept
Published reports last month stated that Ahold Delhaize, the parent company for Giant, Food Lion and Stop & Shop, is suspending its small-format Bfresh brand and will not open Bfresh stores in Philadelphia, as previously announced. The company still plans to make use of the spaces it has leased, though. In addition, Ahold’s 3,700 SF […]
Target to close 12 big box stores and expand small-format portfolio
Target announced last month that it plans to close 12 stores on February 3, 2018. The company said that the closings are due to “several years of decreasing profitability.” According to reports, none of the stores slated for closure are in the Greater Philadelphia or Northeast market. Despite the closings, Target is significantly expanding its […]
Whole Foods to open soon in Exton
West Whiteland Township Manager Mimi Gleason said Whole Foods is on schedule to open at PREIT’s Exton Square Mall in January. Although Whole Foods has not confirmed an opening date, company representatives appeared at a late October Board of Supervisors meeting and received approval for the transfer of a liquor license. In addition, Whole Foods […]
Supermarkets in malls proving to be a win-win
Here in Greater Philadelphia, we are getting used to having supermarkets at the mall (Wegmans in Montgomeryville, Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting, Sprouts coming to Moorestown…), but it’s still a new concept in many parts of the county. Industry analysts believe we will see several more supermarkets lease space in malls in the coming years. […]
Amazon/Whole Foods working on new formats; AmazonFresh cuts service
Amazon revealed during its third quarter earnings conference call that it is working with Whole Foods executives on new grocery store formats. “There will be a lot of work together between Prime Now, AmazonFresh, Whole Foods, Whole Foods products on the Amazon site, (and) Amazon Lockers at the Whole Foods stores,” according to Amazon CFO […]