Sobeys

Former Walmart chief information officer and current HP executive Linda Dillman was among a group of 10 executives honored earlier this week as the inaugural class diversity difference-makers was inducted into the Network of Executive Women CPG Retail Diversity Hall of Fame. The inductees received the William J. Grize Award named after the late president and CEO of Ahold USA whose early support of NEW is credited with jumpstarting the organization, which now includes nearly 5,000 members and 400 companies. Grize died in January 2010 at the age of 63 after a short illness.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Safeway and Wegman’s Food Markets ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

Empathica, a customer experience management solution-provider, polled more than 16,000 consumers, and found that operations and merchandise were the two most important elements in grocery shopping versus other elements such as promotions, people and technology.

TORONTO — Safeway and Wegman’s Food Markets ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

Empathica, a customer experience management solution-provider, polled more than 16,000 consumers, and found that operations and merchandise were the two most important elements in grocery shopping versus other elements such as promotions, people and technology.

It was steady as she goes for Target and many other retailers in terms of circular promotional activity in August, according to the last marketing insights from Market Track. There were a few instances where the number of pages per circular increased noticeably even if the number of circulars distributed was fairly consistent. For example, Walmart, Safeway and Best Buy saw the largest increase in pages while Lowe’s, JCPenney and Home Depot were the biggest decliners.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced that it has raised $10.4 million during a five-week campaign to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association develop treatments and assist people coping with neuromuscular diseases.

Redwood City, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to Pier 1 Imports at Sequoia Station, located in Redwood, Calif., bringing the shopping center to 100% leased.

Pier 1 leased 11,898 sq. Ft. and is slated to open in February 2012.

The 102,848-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Safeway alongside national retailers such as Old Navy, CVS/pharmacy, Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Johnny Rockets.
 

San Jose, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in San Jose, Calif., to a new concept by Petco at Snell & Branham Plaza.

Specializing as a smaller neighborhood Petco store with pet supplies, products and pet food, Unleashed by Petco has leased 4,467 sq. ft. of space. The business is slated to open in fall 2011, bringing the center to 97% leased.

The increases in average transaction size and customer traffic that Target credited with driving its 4.1% same-store sales increase during August is unwelcome news for Walmart. This is especially true since the biggest gains continue to come in categories where Walmart is traditionally strongest and is intent on demonstrating price leadership.