Albertsons – Price Chopper deal called off
According to a Supermarket News report in late January, Albertsons has dropped its pursuit of Price Chopper, which is headquartered in upstate New York. It had been reported in late 2016 that Albertsons was in “advanced talks” to purchase the supermarket chain for about $1 billion. It is likely that Price Chopper will continue to […]
U.S. grocery sales volume weakened in December
According to published reports, U.S. grocery sales continued to slump in December, despite price deflation. According to IRI, dollar sales were down by 1.7% (excluding mass merchants like Walmart) in the four weeks ended December 18, 2016 as compared to the same period a year earlier. In addition, sales volume was down by 2.3%. These […]
Whole Foods closing food production facilities
Whole Foods announced earlier this month that it plans to close three food production facilities along the East Coast. The closures are believed to be part of the company’s efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs. The facilities closing are in Everett, MA; Landover, MD; and Roswell, GA. The operations at the three locations will […]
Save-A-Lot closing west coast stores
Save-A-Lot, under the ownership and guidance of private equity firm Onex since last fall, announced earlier this month that it would close all 13 of its existing stores in California and Nevada, as well as the distribution center servicing them. Supervalu, the discount grocer’s previous owner, saw the west coast as a great opportunity, but […]
Big gains seen in online grocery shopping
According to a Supermarket News story published yesterday, industry experts say that both consumers and retailers are becoming more comfortable with online grocery ordering. As a result, online grocery sales could be poised for significant gains in 2017. Brick Meets Click CEO Bill Bishop cited his company’s research indicating that active online grocery users nearly doubled from […]
Lidl secures sites in Cumberland County, NJ
The Philadelphia Business Journal reported yesterday that Lidl has secured three Cumberland County, NJ locations – Millville, Upper Deerfield and Vineland. It is presumed that the stores will open in 2018, when anywhere from 75 – 125 new Lidl stores are slated to open between New Jersey and Georgia. The company, which plans to operate stores that are […]
Acme to be replaced by residences in Society Hill, Philadelphia
The Acme store in Philadelphia’s Society Hill will close once its lease expires in two years and be replaced by a residential building, according to a report in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. The report says that Alterra Property Group received a conditional zoning permit last week that allows for the demolition of the current building as […]
Acme may replace Fresh Grocer at UPenn
Philly.com reported earlier this week that the Fresh Grocer on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus in Philadelphia may be replaced by Acme. Acme confirmed that they have been in talks with UPenn about the location. According to the Philly.com story, Fresh Grocer, which has been open and operating since 2001, “failed to exercise its renewal […]
Fred’s to buy 865 stores from Walgreen’s and Rite Aid
Walgreen’s and Rite Aid announced earlier this week that they have agreed to sell 865 stores to Fred’s for $950 million in order to alleviate any antitrust concerns related to their pending merger. Kroger had been rumored as the leading candidate to purchase the stores. Currently Fred’s has 581 stores, most of which are in […]
Kimberton Whole Foods to open in Collegeville
Kimberton Whole Foods, the independent natural grocer with five suburban Pennsylvania locations, announced last week that it would open next Fall in a portion of the former Acme space in Brixmor’s Collegeville Shopping Center. At 12,800 square feet, the store will be the chain’s largest to date. Kimberton Whole Foods provides customers with natural, organic […]