Ahold and Delhaize approve company merger
Ahold and Delhaize shareholders approved the merger of the two companies last month, leaving approval from competition authorities in the United States and Europe as the final hurdle. Pending the necessary approvals, the deal is expected to close this summer. In order to help facilitate the approvals, both chains are offering a combined 83 stores […]
Apollo Global Management to buy The Fresh Market
The Fresh Market announced last month that it would be acquired by Apollo Global Management for about $1.36 billion. In addition, The Fresh Market Chairman Ray Berry, along with his son Brett, will roll over “the vast majority” of their company holdings with Apollo. The Berry’s currently own about 9.8% of the company stock. Apollo […]
Wegmans again named top supermarket in U.S.
Wegmans was recently named the top supermarket in the U.S. by the American Customer Satisfaction Index for the second consecutive year. Here is the list along with the scores. Wegmans – (86)Trader Joe’s – (83)H-E-B – (82)Publix – (82)Aldi – (81)Hy-Vee – (78)Kroger – (76)Delhaize (Food Lion / Hannaford) – (76)ShopRite – (75)Meijer – (74)Bi-Lo […]
Aldi accepting credit cards nationwide
Aldi made national news last week when it announced it would accept credit cards at its stores across the country. Until now the company accepted cash and debit cards, but didn’t want to pay the processing costs associated with credit. In 2014 Aldi tested credit card acceptance at stores in the Minneapolis, MN and Syracuse, […]
Instacart, Google making online grocery shopping better and easier
It’s no secret that online grocery shopping is a real thing, and many people are doing it. However, it has its drawbacks, mostly that the customer can only choose from items sold at one specific store, and often the online assortment is smaller than the assortment offered in the store. Enter Instacart and Google. With […]
Target food sales growing faster than overall company sales
Target reported this week that comparable food sales grew faster in the fourth quarter than overall company sales. The company views this growth as validation of the changes it continues to make in food assortment, freshness and presentation. Target also said that it expects the replacement of its own pharmacies with the CVS brand should […]
Whole Foods getting flak from analysts over new 365 format
Whole Foods Co-CEO Walter Robb was widely criticized by analysts earlier this month when he outlined strategies for the rollout of the company’s smaller “365 by Whole Foods Market” format. According to Whole Foods’ website, the new stores, slated to begin opening this year, will offer convenience and everyday low prices on natural and organic […]
McCaffrey’s planning two new PA stores
McCaffrey’s Food Markets announced recently that it would open a new, small format store in Doylestown, as well as a 50,000 square foot store in Blue Bell that was previously occupied by Super Fresh. Both stores are expected to open in the spring. The Doylestown store will be called Simply Fresh by McCaffrey’s and will […]
Kroger eyeing Fresh Market acquisition
A report last month stated that Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional supermarket chain, has interest in purchasing The Fresh Market. The Fresh Market had previously acknowledged that it was reviewing strategic alternatives, but speculation had been on a “going private” deal with founder Ray Berry. The Fresh Market had an estimated $1.9 billion in sales […]
Key Food Co-op acquires Super Fresh name
Earlier this month the Key Food Cooperative reported that it had acquired the Super Fresh brand from A&P and that it is “planning to open several stores under the Super Fresh banner in the near future, the first of which may be as early as this month.” Key Food previously acquired the Food Emporium banner […]