Convenience Stores

Jo-Ann Stores names Fred’s, Walgreens vet to new exec role
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has appointed Bryan Pugh to the newly created position of executive VP, stores and store operations. He will lead financial, operational and cultural leadership of Jo-Ann Stores.

Pugh joins Jo-Ann from Fred’s Pharmacy & Super Dollar where he served as executive VP, chief merchandising and marketing officer. His experience also includes serving as senior VP, chief merchandising officer at Walgreen Co. in addition to several roles of increasing responsibility at Tesco.
South Carolina center changes hands
Patton Square Shopping Center in Woodruff, South Carolina, has been acquired by Pro Vest Properties for $7.3 million dollars. SRS Real Estate partners brokered the deal for the seller, an affiliate of Chen Development.

“Patton Square is a solid grocery-anchored neighborhood center with minimal competition in the market,” said Pierce Mayson, VP for SRS’ Southeast Investment Sales Team. “With a long-term anchor lease and very solid sales numbers, this asset is an excellent purchase for the buyer.”

Shell Retail adds new life into POS

The fuel retail industry may innovate at a snail’s pace, but Shell Retail is bucking the trend.

Following a year-long proof-of-concept, the gasoline and convenience store retailer is embarking on an iPad-based point-of-sale (POS) deployment at dedicated locations. The robust cloud-based system is designed to centrally manage fuel stations and markets more effectively; ensure compliance with data security standards, and most importantly, improve the customer experience through the point-of-purchase.
Kimco announces $265 million in deals

Kimco Realty Corp. has purchased the remaining 85% interest in a four-property joint venture portfolio, a deal that includes the assumption of $103 million in mortgage debt. The company also announced it had acquired a Whole Foods-anchored center in the D.C. area for $95 million.
Target caters to the college crowd

Students at Boston University have a new, convenient shopping option. Target Corp. has opened one of its smaller format stores adjacent to the West Campus section of the university, reported BU Today. Similar stores are set to open in the coming months near the University of Chicago and at Penn State. The 16,000-sq.-ft. Boston store carries merchandise specifically geared toward college students, from food staples like ramen noodles to bedding and bath essentials.
Starbucks CEO takes a stand in presidential race

If any retail CEO is going to endorse a candidate in this year’s presidential race, Howard Schultz would certainly rank at the top of the list.
C-store chain bullish on store expansion; to enter Ohio

Casey’s General’s Stores on Tuesday detailed an aggressive store expansion and renovation schedule along with record earnings for its first quarter. The Iowa-based chain expects to build or acquire 77 to 116 stores, replace 35 existing locations, and complete 100 major remodels in its current fiscal year. Currently, it has 39 new stores under construction, including its first store in the state of Ohio.
Meijer launching home delivery service

Meijer is jumping into the increasingly crowded food delivery arena. In a move to deliver even more convenience to its time-starved shoppers, the Michigan-based retailer launching an app-based grocery delivery service in Detroit and southeastern Michigan.
Lowe’s Foods opens at master-planned community in North Carolina

Lowe’s Foods rang in retail this week at Morganton Park South in Southern Pines, North Carolina, opening a 50,000-sq.-ft. anchor store in the center that is part of the 188-acre Morganton Park master-planned community. Lowe’s, which recently executed a re-branding, is a fixture in North Carolina, where it has done business since 1954. Its neighbors in the center are still to be determined. Leasing agent Lincoln Harris reports that most of the 21,000 remaining square feet in the center remains available.
Commentary: Chipotle class-action suit should be wake-call for retailers, restaurants

This week, 10,000 current and former Chipotle employees filed a class-action lawsuit claiming back wages, working off the clock and various labor violations. The suit should finally be the wake-up call necessary to get c-suite executives at restaurant, retail, hotel & lodging, convenience stores and other labor-intensive industries to take the issue seriously because the Chipotle case may be the tip of the iceberg.
Inland sells Mariano’s location in Chicagoland

Inland Private Capital Corp. announced the sale of a Mariano’s Fresh Market in Vernon Hills, Illinois, on behalf of one of its 1,000-plus investment programs. Sale price for the seven-acre property and 71,248-sq.-ft. store was $36.4 million. Mariano’s, a Kroger banner, is Chicagoland’s up-and-coming fresh grocer with some 35 locations in the area. Roundy’s had owned the chain and held the lease at the Vernon Hills location until it was acquired by Kroger last November.
Chain Store Age debuts SPECS ‘Ambassadors Club’

Chain Store Age unveils its first-ever SPECS/2017 Ambassadors Club, created to recognize 12 retailers who have made significant contributions to the industry and to SPECS, the annual Retail Event for Store Innovation. Produced by CSA, SPECS is attended by retail and food-service executives involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants nationwide.