Convenience Stores

Photo: Jeff Burt

Healthy checklanes free of bad-for-you impulse items are coming to nearly all Aldi stores by year end, and that’s just the beginning of the retailer’s stepped up commitment to offering healthier options at its expanding network of 1,500 stores.

Aldi isn’t shooting itself in the foot and getting rid of all impulse items from its checklanes, but rather re-merchandising select checkout lanes to feature healthier options such as single serving of nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits and granola bars.

Warm weather, as well as layoffs in the oil and gas industry hindered sales Boot Barn during the holiday quarter.

Boot Barn announced preliminary results for the third quarter ended Dec. 26 as follows:

• Preliminary net sales increased 49% to approximately $194 million;

• Opened 5 new stores and completed the rebranding of 19 Sheplers stores;

Sportsman’s Warehouse is expanding its operations.

The company will open three new stores, with locations in Prescott, Arizona; Rock Springs, Wyoming; and Gillette, Wyoming. The stores, which will feature the retailer’s small format model, will open in the summer of 2016.

The Prescott store will be Sportsman’s Warehouse’s sixth store in Arizona, while the two Wyoming stores will bring the number of the chain’s locations in the state to four.

CST Brands is not a household name in the retail industry, but it is fast becoming one. The company has ambitious plans to grow through new store construction and acquisitions and just made several key executive moves to help make things happen.

The winners in today’s retail food retail sector will be those who can continually stay ahead of competitors by retaining current customers and attracting new ones.

However, many of the tools of yesterday are likely stale and ineffective today. Trending indicates that older, traditional practices of discount/promotional pricing, printed signs/stickers, and aisle video display monitors to attract customers and increase sales are becoming outmoded and have lost their effectiveness in many food retail environments.

Dollar Tree says Family Dollar CEO Howard R. Levine is stepping down as an officer of the company following the integration of Family Dollar.

The company had previously announced that Levine would remain with the company for a period of time to assist with the integration, reporting to, and supporting, Dollar Tree’s CEO, Bob Sasser. Gary Philbin, who was named Family Dollar’s president and COO in July, will continue leading Family Dollar and will continue reporting to Sasser.

Toys “R” Us produced surprisingly strong results, especially online, in what is proving to be a holiday season characterized by mixed results from retailers who have disclosed results.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Metro Commercial Real Estate announced it has negotiated 13 new store openings for Dollar Tree in Pennsylvania.

Dollar Tree a value-driven variety store operating at a one-dollar price point, with stores where Middle America lives and shops and incorporates the philosophy of bright stores, big signs, and a clean environment.

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.