Sobeys

A number of major retail chains are leveraging a mobile app that allows scanners to read barcodes on smartphones.

Shoppers at retailers including CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Nectar, Rite Aid, Toys “R” Us, Best Buy, PetSmart, Staples, Safeway, and Giant Eagle are using the Mobeam 4.0 Beep’nGo app for Samsung Android mobile devices. The app, which can integrate with existing payment apps, allows customers to use barcode-based loyalty cards, gift cards and coupons on their smartphone at checkout scanners.

Albertsons announced Tuesday that Mark Panzer, who was named the company's SVP pharmacy, health and wellness in May 2015, has accepted the additional responsibility of leading general merchandise and HABA (health and beauty aid).

The Golub Corp., operators of the Price Chopper grocery store chain, named Scott Grimmett as president and CEO. Grimmett, who has been part of the family-owned company’s succession plan since joining Golub in January 2012 as executive VP and COO, is the first non-family member to head up the chain. He replaces Jerry Golub, who has been appointed vice chairman of the board

Alamo, Calif. -- Donahue Schriber Realty Group announced that it acquired Alamo Plaza located in Alamo, California from Investco Advisors late 2015.

The 195,147 sq. ft. shopping center is anchored by Safeway and features Rite-Aid, 24 Hour Fitness, Richards Arts and Crafts, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Panera Bread, and more.

Retail business industry veteran Lawrence Jackson has been named to the board of directors of cloud-based enterprise retail technology provider Aptos Inc. (formerly Epicor Retail Solutions).

Home Depot, Amazon.com and Safeway are tops when it comes to offering the best mobile commerce experience according to a new study that benchmarks 20 top U.S. retailers against one another.

As we begin 2016, supermarket retailers continue to adapt to changing consumer demands, industry issues and regulations affecting their businesses. Some grocers are expanding their footprints, others are narrowing to specialty formats, and some seem to be doing both. All are facing increased competition and high expectations around freshness, convenience and transparency.

The Seattle Times is reporting that, according to court documents filed last week, Albertsons is currently bidding on 36 of 95 stores being sold by the now-bankrupt Haggen. Albertsons had previously sold 146 stores to Haggen as part of its acquisition of Safeway. [Seattle Times]