Strategy

Ossining, N.Y. -- Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Infill Development, LLC, affiliate of DLC Management Corp., announced the groundbreaking of a new development project in Ossining, N.Y. A stand-alone Walgreens will be constructed on the site of a former strip center, a New York State Brownfields site which is scheduled to undergo demolition shortly.

The new 9,483-sq.-ft. Walgreens store is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Phoenix -- PetSmart's fourth-quarter net income rose 20%, helped by more customer transactions and a strong holiday season.

The chain's net income rose to $90.3 million from $75 million in the same period last year. Revenue rose 8% to $1.52 billion. Same-store sales were up 6.3 %.

For the year, net income increased 21% to $239.9 million. Revenue rose 6% to $5.04 billion.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Tuesday reported fourth-quarter sales of $6.4 billion, a 4.4% increase from last year’s $6.1 billion. Comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased 3.2%.

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $342.1 million, compared with $284.2 million in 2009, an increase of 20.4%. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter increased to 44 cents for 2010, up from 36 cents per share in 2009.

New York City -- Retailer demand for new locations is up across the board, according to ChainLinks Retail Advisors’ just-released National Retailer and Restaurant Expansion Guide. The report details the current expansion plans for hundreds of the largest U.S. retail and restaurant chains.

LOS ANGELES — A Kroger banner based in Los Angeles has kicked off a charitable campaign to benefit children's hospitals based in Southern California.

Ralphs on Monday said it is raising funds through its nonprofit, The Ralphs Fund, by asking customers and associates to donate their spare change in collection canisters located at Ralphs checkout stands.

Southern California children's hospitals that will benefit from the charitable fundraising drive include:

Children's Hospital of Orange County;

Children's Hospital of Los Angeles;

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. announced Tuesday that Larry J. Merlo has assumed the role of chief executive. Merlo, now president and CEO of CVS Caremark, succeeds Thomas M. Ryan who will remain non-executive chairman until his retirement at the company's annual meeting in May.

Merlo, a pharmacist by training with over 30 years in pharmacy health, joined CVS/pharmacy in 1990 through the company's acquisition of Peoples Drug.

VENTURA, Calif. -- The apparel industry has come together to form a coalition dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products sold around the world. According to a press release, the group, to be known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition will consist of leading apparel and footwear brands, retailers, manufacturers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic experts and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

Watchung, N.J. -- RAS Brokerage announced that it has secured a lease for Buffalo Wild Wings at BJ’s Shopping Center, located in Watchung, N.J.

Buffalo Wild Wings has signed a lease for a 5,856-sq.-ft. end-cap at the Vornado Realty Trust-owned center.

AMPAL Restaurant group d.b.a. Buffalo Wild Wings opened its first unit at the Monmouth Mall in 2010. The Watchung store will be its second and will open on March 7. 

RAS Brokerage is the restaurant division of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Fameco Real Estate, LP.