The Kroger Co. reached a deal yesterday to acquire regional grocer Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. in a $2.5 billion deal, the latest in a string of grocery industry consolidations. The deal, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to boost Kroger’s presence in the U.S. southeast. Competitors there include Publix and Wal-Mart Stores…
Grocers Stretching Formats to Match Shoppers’ Budgets, Time Needs
In this period of economic and demographic fluctuation, U.S. retailers are simultaneously stretching and shrinking their stores to promote convenience for shoppers and compete with online options, according to What’s in Store, the annual trends publication from International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association. Grocery shoppers continue to weather the Great Recession and convenient shopping for the most vital…
Pizza Cone Comes To Three C-Stores
Several New York-area convenience stores are delving into the sale of pizza cones. Three gas station chains in the New York metropolitan-area are selling new Cono Italiano Inc. “pizza conos” at their c-stores. Exxon, BP and Gulf Gas Stations are now selling pizza conos and empanadas to consumers. The pizza cono is a drip-free, cone-shaped…
Website Helps Customers Find Best Beer Prices
At SaveOnBrew.com, customers enter their zip codes to find low prices and sales on beer in their area. The Beer Institute reports that the most popular places to buy beer outside bars, restaurants and stadiums include: convenience stores (32%), liquor / beer stores (20%) and supermarkets (8%). SaveOnBrew.com, a search engine made for beer products,…
Will Tesco Turn it Around?
Fresh & Easy is rolling out a new Express store format, but can the company come out on top after nearly four years of heavy losses? By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Tesco’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market grocery chain debuted with a bang in 2007, rolling out 20 stores in rapid succession in California, Nevada…
Walmart’s Reign Fading?
“How America Shops” survey shows Walmart shoppers find lowest prices elsewhere. The Walmart shopper’s value perception has dramatically changed, according to a new research report that surveyed nearly 1,500 Walmart Shoppers. A continuing recessionary mindset, coupled with lower priced competitors are driving shoppers to other retail destinations, according to WSL/Strategic Retail’s How America Shops…
Food Lion Expands In South Carolina
Food Lion unveils six new stores it acquired from grocery store chain Bloom, and assures customers it plans to offer as many of Bloom’s key products as possible. The Food Lion is increasing its business in Greenville, S.C., with the opening of six new stores it acquired from grocery chain Bloom. Seven Bloom stores in…
United Supermarkets Continues Convenience, Retail Expansion
United Supermarkets’ third Market Street location in Lubbock, Texas will anchor a major redevelopment effort in the city. The store will be comparable in size to the city’s two other Market Street locations, but with innovations in design and service concepts. Plans also call for construction of a United Express fuel and convenience store near…
Category Management Association Releases Benchmark ROI Survey
The Category Management Association (CMA) has released a first-of-its-kind survey of the methods and practices used by manufacturing companies to measure the return-on-investment (ROI) of their category management functions. While results indicate broad acknowledgment of the growing importance and analytical sophistication of category management, survey participants across all channels say they need standard metrics and…
Shoppers Struggle to Buy Healthy
A new consumer attitude research study conducted by Catalina Marketing, which provides shopper-driven marketing solutions, shows despite the industry’s healthy-eating consumer initiatives, shoppers have not changed their old buying habits, behavior and perceptions. “We will use this study to make it easier for both manufacturers and retailers to help shoppers make healthy, nutritious choices in…