San Antonio-based CST Brands, one of the largest independent retailers of motor fuels and convenience merchandise in North America, plans to dispose of approximately 100 Corner Store locations across the U.S. The company made the announcement when it reported its fourth quarter and fiscal 2013 earnings on Thursday, and said the decision is the result […]
Category: Store News
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Kroger Launches Refresh Initiative Today In North Texas
Kroger says that, beginning today, shoppers in North Texas will find new lower prices on thousands of popular food and household items, along with a renewed emphasis on shopping experience, fuel discounts, local products and community relations. “We’re a strong brand and company but we’ve achieved that status because we’re always looking for improvement opportunities. […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Report: H-E-B, Trader’s Joe’s And Publix Earn Top Customer Experience Ratings
The fourth annual “Temkin Experience Ratings” reveals grocery and fast food chains dominate the top spots among evaluation of 268 companies across 19 industries. Based on a study of 10,000 U.S consumers, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, Chick-fil-A, and Publix earned the highest scores in the 2014 Temkin Experience Ratings, ranking 268 companies across 19 industries. Joining […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Farm Fresh Honoring Hampton Roads Roots During Anniversary Celebration
Established in 1957, Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy is commemorating 57 years as the hometown grocer for residents of the Hampton Roads, Va., area, with a yearlong anniversary celebration. Highlights include customer gift card giveaways totaling more than $100,000, as well as the return of the Farmer Boy mascot under the new name “Farmer Eugene,” […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Kroger Created More Than 7K New Jobs Last Year
The Kroger Co. says its total active workforce grew by more than 7,000 during fiscal year 2013. Approximately 90 percent of the new jobs were in the company’s supermarket divisions. “Our associates have the extraordinary opportunity to make a difference for the more than eight million customers who visit our stores each day,” said Katy Barclay, […]
Posted inHy-Vee, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Expands Health Focus With Kids Fit Initiative
Kids of all ages and skill levels will have additional opportunities to participate in events making up the new Hy-Vee Kids Fit program. The events will build on the kids triathlon offerings Hy-Vee has held in the past, but will expand to include one-mile fun run and 5K options to support wellness and fight childhood […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Publix Now In Business In North Carolina
Publix Super Markets has officially opened its doors in North Carolina. It debuted its first store in the state this morning in Charlotte (Mecklenburg County). Located in the Ballantyne Town Center, at 11222 Providence Rd. W., the 56,445-s.f. store includes a pharmacy and the many other features of a traditional Publix store. The Lakeland, Fla.-based […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Market Street’s Made-To-Order Signature Specialty Cakes Available Now
Market Street is rolling out signature specialty cakes topped with fresh fruit, as well as a new line of 5-inch cakes. Available at all Market Street locations in DFW and West Texas through April 1, the cakes can be made to order in any size and are made fresh in the Market Street Bakery. “Guests […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
IGA Donates $290K To Wounded Warrior Project
IGA has donated $290,000 to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) as a result of the third annual IGA exclusive brand national marketing initiative that ran in participating IGA stores from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend of 2013. During the promotional period last year, IGA donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Hy-Vee Plans To Enter Twin Cities Market
Hy-Vee is planning a major expansion of its Minnesota operations into the Twin Cities market. Hy-Vee has been a fixture in Minnesota communities since 1969 and currently has 17 employee-owned stores statewide with approximately 5,100 employees. “Our commitment to excellent customer service, health and wellness and culinary expertise is unlike anything in the market to […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Store News, Whole Foods
Who Leads, And Lags, In Customer Satisfaction?
Customer satisfaction improved for a third consecutive year for retail, according to a report released by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The retail sector overall gained 1.7 percent to an ACSI benchmark of 77.9, boosted by higher customer satisfaction with specialty retail stores, supermarkets, drug stores and gasoline service stations. A fourth traditional retail […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Completion Of Arden Deal May Lead To Gelson’s Expansion
Arden Group, parent of Gelson’s Markets, an operator of 17 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California, has completed its previously announced acquisition by TPG, a leading global private investment firm. The merger agreement was approved by the company’s board of directors in December. Under the terms of the agreement, Arden Group’s shareholders will receive […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Safeway Confirms Talks About Possible Sale Of Company
Safeway said Wednesday afternoon that it is in discussions concerning a possible sale of the company. “Although the discussions are ongoing, the company has not reached an agreement on a transaction, and there can be no assurance that these discussions will lead to an agreement or a completed transaction,” the company said during a fourth […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Northgate González Wins Unified’s Ben Schwartz Visionary Award
Anaheim, Calif.-based Northgate González Markets, which operates 38 supermarkets in Southern California, was the recipient of the 2014 “Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award” from Unified Grocers at a special awards dinner Tuesday at Tamayo Restaurant in Los Angeles. This is the ninth year that Unified has presented the award to an outstanding independent retailer. […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
IGA Pauses To Celebrate, Then Turns Focus To Future
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) Global Rally was held Feb. 7-11 in conjunction with the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show in Las Vegas for the second time this year. NGA had a record turnout for its show, and IGA was close to one as well. “It makes sense,” said Mark Batenic, CEO of IGA Inc. […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Food Retailers Recognized For Community Outreach, Charitable Initiatives
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) presented its 2013 Community Outreach Awards to six honorees. The awards recognize the creative, charitable programs established and carried out by food retailers to enhance the lives of those in the communities they serve. “These programs, and all those submitted, serve as vivid reminders that the longstanding tradition of the […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Buehler’s Fresh Foods Names Director Of Communications
Deb Wilcox has been named director of communications at Buehler’s Fresh Foods in Wooster, Ohio. Wilcox started in Buehler’s advertising department in March 1983 working on ad layout and has served as director of marketing since 1991. As director of communications, Wilcox will be responsible for community, government and consumer relations, décor and branding of […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Whole Foods Inks Leases For Stores In Georgia, Alabama
Whole Foods Market has signed leases for stores in Kennesaw, Ga., and Huntsville, Ala. Both stores are expected to open in 2016. The Kennesaw store will be located in a mixed-use development at the corner of Barrett Parkway and U.S. 41/Cobb Parkway. The newest store in Georgia for the natural and organic foods supermarket will […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Cardenas, Northgate Gonzalez Come Together To Purchase Pro’s Ranch Markets
Two well-known Southern California-based Hispanic retailers—Cardenas Markets and Northgate Gonzalez Markets—said this morning they have come together and reached an agreement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to purchase Phoenix, Ariz.-based Pro’s Ranch Markets, which has seven stores in Arizona, two in New Mexico and two in Texas, for $55 million. The two retailers recently formed […]
Posted in, National, Store News
CVS To Stop Selling Tobacco Products At All Locations
CVS Caremark will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy stores across the U.S. by Oct. 1, making CVS/pharmacy the first national pharmacy chain to take this step in support of the health and well-being of its patients and customers, according to the Rhode Island-based company. “Ending the sale […]