Convenience Stores

U.S. consumers have named their top grocery chain, and for the first time in four years it isn’t Trader Joe’s.

Findings from an online study of more than 10,000 consumers conducted in February 2016 by Market Force Information revealed that Wegmans is America’s favorite grocery retailer. Wegmans was followed by Publix Super Markets and Trader Joe’s.

Mid-America Real Estate Corp.’s investment sales team recently brokered the sale of Oak Brook Court. Tampa, Florida-based Third Lake Capital acquired the 103,836-sq.-ft. property for $19.95 million. Oak

Brook Court is located at the northeast corner of Kingery Highway (Illinois Route 83) and 16th Street in Oak Brook Illinois, part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area. The center is anchored by Binny’s Beverage Depot, Office Max and The Great Escape.

Canadian supermarket and pharmacy retailer Loblaw Companies intends to expand in areas including real estate, e-commerce, IT and supply chain during 2016.

Shoppers may be using EMV-compliant, chip-enabled payment cards, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they like them.

Business research firm Field Agent recently conducted an audit of 100 chip processing systems at leading retailers Costco, CVS Health, Home Depot, Kroger, Lowes, Target, Walgreens and Walmart. It also undertook a survey of 300 consumers who use chip cards. In the survey, only 37% of the respondents reported a preference for EMV cards over the swiping variety; 63% said they would rather swipe a card than insert a chip card.

Shoppers may be using EMV-compliant, chip-enabled payment cards, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they like them.

Business research firm Field Agent recently conducted an audit of 100 chip processing systems at leading retailers Costco, CVS Health, Home Depot, Kroger, Lowes, Target, Walgreens and Walmart. It also undertook a survey of 300 consumers who use chip cards. In the survey, only 37% of the respondents reported a preference for EMV cards over the swiping variety; 63% said they would rather swipe a card than insert a chip card.

Many retailers are adding restaurants and even bars to enhance the shopping experience. Going forward, Kohl’s will not be one of them.

After a seven-month test, the retailer has decided to shutter the cafes it opened in its two of its stores in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported.

Half of retailers are unprepared for future labor challenges.

That’s according to a new survey of more than 250 U.S. store managers by JDA Software Group, which finds that a perfect “labor” storm is brewing for retailers — one fueled by ever-expanding customer needs, increasing complexity and new and shifting labor regulations.

Aldi is expanding its fledgling footprint in Southern California.

On Thursday, April 21, the grocer will open six stores in Los Angeles County, three in Orange County and one store in San Bernardino County.

The April openings are part of Aldi’s plan to open approximately 45 stores in Southern California by the end of 2016, eight of which opened last month.

Currently, Aldi operates nearly 1,500 U.S. stores in 33 states.