Large Chains

Paris -- A Tuesday report by the Wall Street Journal said that French retailer Carrefour SA has sold 97 supermarket sites to an investment company for $477 million.

Carrefour, the world’s second-largest retailer after Wal-Mart Stores, will continue to operate the sites through 12-year leases under its Carrefour Markets banner. The company said the sales and lease-backs will allow it to optimize the use of its capital, which will be reinvested into other real estate.

Greenville, S.C. -- Grocer Bi-Lo LLC said Monday that it has acquired southern supermarket chain Winn-Dixie, in a $560 million transaction that will take Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. private and create the largest grocery operator in the South.

The merger will combine Winn-Dixie’s 480 supermarkets in five southern states (Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi) with Bi-Lo’s 207 stores in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee to create a company with 690 stores and 63,000 workers in eight states.

Cary, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc.'s fiscal fourth-quarter profit fell 61%, pulled down by an impairment charge. Net income fell to $3.3 million for the period ended Sept. 29, down from $8.5 million in the year-ago period, which had one extra week.

Interim CEO Edwin Holman said in a statement that the convenience-store company will look to improve its merchandise sales next year and will do this by taking a look at the prices it charges.

Revenue rose 12% to $2.18 billion, boosted by fuel sales. Same-store sales were down 0.8%.

Keller, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Bear Creek Running Co. will open a new store at Keller Town Center, located in Keller, Texas.

The new 1,200-sq.-ft. store is slated to open Jan. 2012.

Keller Town Center is a 114,937-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by a 63,631-sq.-ft. Tom Thumb alongside national retailers such as Starbucks, Pizza Hut and RadioShack.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General on Monday told analysts the company plans to open 40 DG Market concepts in 2012 in both new and existing markets based on the success of the concept.

Kendall Lakes, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that two new merchants have leased space at its Shoppes @ 104 shopping center, in Kendall Lakes, Fla.

Yogurtini has leased 1,400 sq. ft. of retail space, and Great Clips has leased 1,344 sq. ft. The 108,192-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Winn-Dixie, alongside national retailers such as The UPS Store, Subway and GNC.
 

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Indian Bazaar has leased 4,480 sq. ft. at Loehmann’s Plaza in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The new grocery store is slated to open in May 2012.

The 113,309-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by CVS/pharmacy alongside national retailers including Safeway, Nail Time and Starbucks.

 

Charlotte, N.C. — Harris Teeter will open a 61,000-sq.-ft. store in Baltimore, making it the chain's first in the city and seventh in Maryland.

The store, which will be located in the McHenry Row neighborhood of Baltimore, opens its doors on Dec. 7. The supermarket places strong emphasis on fresh foods, items-to-go and perishable items, Harris Teeter said.

The chain also is applying for LEED certification for the location, noting the supermarket will include electric vehicle charging stations and an integrated refrigeration.

El Segundo, Calif. -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market announced it is hiring for more than 20 stores that are set to open early next year.

The company expects to hire more than 600 employees for the new stores, which will be opening in California and Nevada.
 

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle has named Laura Shapira Karet CEO and John Lucot president and COO. Both appointments are effective Jan. 9, 2012. 

Karet, 42, is taking over the position from her father David Shapira, who will assume the position of executive chairman of Giant Eagle's board of directors. Shapira has served as CEO 1980.