Supervalu customer data hacked for second time in six weeks
Supervalu experienced a security breach in its data systems for the second time in six weeks, the company said yesterday. According to the company, an intruder installed malware into the portion of its computer network that processes payment-card transactions for some of its retail customers. Supervalu does not believe the intrusion succeeded in capturing data […]
Whole Foods embracing technology via Instacart and Apple partnerships
Whole Foods announced earlier this month it would partner with Instacart to offer customers one-hour delivery service, as well as an option to place orders through Instacart for in-store pick-up. The delivery service will start in the 15 cities Instacart currently operates in, including Philadelphia. The in-store pick-up service will start in select Austin, TX […]
C&S Wholesale bids to acquire AWI
C&S Wholesale Grocers has entered into an agreement with Associated Wholesalers Inc. (AWI) that would make C&S the “stalking horse” bidder in an upcoming bankruptcy auction. AWI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week. C&S’s offer is subject to offers by other interested parties. C&S is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. […]
Amelia’s Grocery Outlet parent to be purchased by investment firm
“Extreme-value” retailer Grocery Outlet, which operates 198 stores in the Western U.S. plus 16 Amelia’s supermarkets in Pennsylvania, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Hellman & Friedman, an investment firm in San Francisco. The chain’s principal owner for the last five years has been Berkshire Partners, based in Boston. The chain was […]
Family Dollar rejects Dollar General’s higher offer, to pursue deal with Dollar Tree
Last week I blogged about Dollar Tree’s $8.5 billion deal for Family Dollar Stores, which was followed by Dollar General’s $9.2 billion cash offer for the same company. A few days ago Family Dollar rejected the higher offer and said it will pursue its prior agreement with Dollar Tree, citing antitrust considerations. Dollar General said […]
Delhaize may pull the plug on Bottom Dollar
Food Trade News reported in its August issue that Bottom Dollar Foods, a division of Delhaize America, “has reportedly felt enough competitive heat and is exploring the sale of its 66 stores located in Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Northeast Ohio.” 46 of the 66 stores are in the Greater Philadelphia market. Reportedly several retailers […]
Walmart’s Neighborhood Markets are thriving, but at what price?
Walmart reported its second quarter earnings, and despite the company’s seventh straight quarter without sales growth at stores open at least one year, as well as a downgraded full-year profit outlook, Walmart reported that its small-scale Neighborhood Market locations are thriving. Neighborhood Market same-store sales grew by 5.6% compared to the previous quarter, and traffic grew […]
Dollar General and Dollar Tree fighting for Family Dollar Stores
In late July it was announced that Dollar Tree would buy competitor Family Dollar Stores in a cash and stock deal worth $9.2 billion, and that both companies unanimously approved the merger. However, reports today said that Dollar General offered $9.7 billion in cash for Family Dollar. Today’s move by the top dollar store in […]
Grocery dominates Top 100 Retailers list
The National Retail Federation released its Top 100 U.S. Retailers list, with Walmart on top with $334 billion in sales, about three-and-a-half times the sales of runner-up Kroger. As a merchandise segment, grocery continues to prove that it’s a driving force. According to the study, eight of the nation’s 10 largest retailers drive a significant portion […]
TargetExpress opens in Minnesota
Target announced last month that it was scheduled to open its smallest store ever near the University of Minnesota campus. At 20,000 SF, TargetExpress will carry about 20% of the merchandise a typical Target store offers. Products will include dry groceries, meat, deli, bakery and frozen items, as well as a large selection of grab-and-go […]