Convenience Stores

Tech Guest Viewpoint: Digital convergence gets interesting
RSR has been tracking retailers' e-commerce strategies for more than five years. During that time we’ve seen interest in a major platform refresh, the introduction of mobile and social as e-commerce considerations, as well as convergence – where retailers increasingly view mobile and other non-commerce online activities in the context of their overall "digital" strategy, with their e-commerce platform as the centerpiece.
Kroger names new group VP of retail operations
The Kroger Co. has promoted one of its regional executives to be its new VP of retail operations.

The grocery chain said it has promoted Mary Ellen Adcock to serve as Kroger's group VP of retail operations, effective May 16. She succeeds Marnette Perry, whose retirement was previously announced. Adcock currently serves as VP of operations for Kroger's Columbus division.

Instacart plays the field

Online delivery service Instacart may be deepening its relationship with organic grocer Whole Foods, but is still keeping its options open.

Instacart is now delivering goods from Landover, Maryland-based supermarket chain Giant Food to Washington, D.C., residents. Responding to customer requests, Giant is now offering home delivery via Instacart in as little as an hour to customers throughout Washington, D.C.
Starbucks opens first-of-a-kind store in Queens, New York

Starbucks on Monday opened a store in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York, which has a strong job training component.

The location is the first in a nationwide initiative Starbucks announced last summer to open stores in at least 15 diverse urban communities across the United States by 2018, with the aim to create new jobs, engage local women and minority-owned vendors and suppliers, and collaborate with local nonprofits to support training opportunities for youth in the individual communities.
After ‘exceptional’ year, Smart & Final set for record expansion

Smart & Final’s value oriented brand of food retailing is resonating with shoppers and that has the company eyeing roughly 40 new stores in 2016.
Value and convenience driving Dollar General’s record growth

Dollar General reported record sales and profits last year and plans to extend the streak in 2016 with 900 stores and an even greater number in subsequent years, according to the company’s new financial targets.

In 2015, Dollar General opened 730 new stores and remodeled or relocated 881 stores which combined with a 2.8% same store sales increase allowed it to grow total sales 7.7% to $20.4 billion. The company ended its fiscal year on Jan. 29, with 12,483 stores.
Toys"R"Us makes progress on turnaround

The CEO of Toys"R"Us says increases in same store sales and profit show that the company is on the right path toward strategic growth.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, the company earned $276 million, up from $265 million a year earlier. Revenue fell 2.6% to $4.9 billion. Same store sales increased 2.3%.
Whole Foods and Instacart take relationship to new level

Whole Foods Market and online delivery service Instacart have big plans to make it easier for consumers nationwide to receive home deliveries from the nation’s leading retailer of natural and organic products.
Whole Foods Market and Instacart – the start of a beautiful friendship

The rumors are true – Whole Foods Market and Instacart are taking their relationship to a new level.

The organic grocer and online delivery service officially announced a deepening of their partnership, which had been reported in the media for the past few weeks.
Surging Dollar General to open record number of stores in 2016

Dollar General reported record sales and profits last year and plans to extend the streak in 2016 with 900 stores and an even greater number in subsequent years, according to the company’s new financial targets.

In 2015, Dollar General opened 730 new stores and remodeled or relocated 881 stores which combined with a 2.8% same store sales increase allowed it to grow total sales 7.7% to $20.4 billion. The company ended its fiscal year on Jan. 29, with 12,483 stores.
Grocery industry crowns ‘Best Bagger’

The National Grocers Association held its annual meeting recently in Las Vegas and Candice Lastimado of Seattle-based Metropolitan Markets came away the big winner.
Stater Bros. names VP of real estate

Michael Reed has been promoted to VP real estate for Stater Bros. Markets.

Reed joined Stater Bros. in 2014 as senior director of real estate, a position he held until his recent promotion. He will report to president and CEO Pete Van Helden.

Prior to Stater Bros., Reed served as real estate store development manager for Starbucks where he was responsible for growing the company’s Mid-West and Western Mountain regions.

Stater Bros. operates 168 supermarkets in California.