Convenience Stores

Kroger to build 11 new stores, 16 gas stations, training center in Indiana
Cincinnati – The Kroger Co. plans to build 11 new stores and remodel 22 existing stores in the Indianapolis area. Kroger will spend $464.6 million in a four-year plan that actually started in 2014.

The plan includes constructing seven 125,000-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace stores in Fishers, Franklin and Indianapolis counties. Those stores will cost $141 million and create 1,350 permanent jobs.
Shareholder urges TravelCenters of America to sell real estate
New York - RDG Capital Fund Management, a shareholder of TravelCenters of America, has engaged in what it calls “constructive dialogue” with TravelCenters CEO Tom O'Brien and other board members. RDG said the TravelCenters board has indicated a willingness to consider selling some company-owned real estate as a source of liquidity.

ECRM/Retailing Today Supplier Showcase: Loco Brands

Gene Operle, Regional Sales Manager for Hallandale Beach, Fla.-based Loco Brands, participated in ECRM’s recent Snack & Dry Grocery Event in Jacksonville, Fla.
Retail veteran named Bartell Drugs CEO

A 30-year veteran of REI has been named as the new CEO of Bartell Drugs.
Kroger's SoCal stores ask shoppers to give

The Food 4 Less and Ralph’s divisions of Kroger Co. are asking shoppers in the Southern California area to support the Special Olympics.

The 2015 Special Olympics World Games are coming to Los Angeles this summer, and Ralphs customers and associates can show their support of Special Olympics through the supermarket chain's nonprofit arm, The Ralphs Fund, by donating their spare change in collection canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Ralphs supermarket.
Report: Kroger to build 11 new stores in Indiana

The Kroger Co. is continuing to invest in its footprint in 2015, this time with plans to build 11 new stores and remodel 22 existing stores in the Indianapolis area, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Walmart offers education in low prices

Walmart is schooling students in Virginia on savings with the latest iteration of its on campus concept store first introduced in 2011.

The new 4,100-sq.-ft. Walmart on Campus is located at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. The store opened April 29 and is part of an ongoing pilot program at Walmart to designed to provide VCU students and faculty, as well as the surrounding neighborhood, more convenient access to affordable products.
Roche Bros. opens Boston flagship

Wellesley, Mass. - Regional grocery chain has opened its flagship Downtown Crossing Boston supermarket in the newly restored Burnham Building. Roche Bros. is the first large-scale grocery store to be built in Boston's Downtown Crossing.
Tim Horton’s releases 2014 sustainability results

Oakville, Canada - Tim Hortons has released its fifth annual Sustainability and Responsibility Report, highlighting the company's 2014 performance results. Key accomplishments in 2014 include:

• Introduced Calorie Aware menu boards across Canada to highlight breakfast products under 350 calories.

• Increased the number of farmers who participated in the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership Projects to a total of 4,830 farmers.
Survey: 20% of Millennials prefer not to interact with cashiers during checkout

Chicago -- Self-service kiosks got a nod from the Millennial generation, as a new survey released by location-based mobile platform Retale showed that 20% of Millennial shoppers don’t like interacting with cashiers at checkout.

The survey examined consumer self-service checkout (SSK) adoption and preferences among brick-and-mortar retailers, focusing on SSK experiences, and evaluating convenience, challenges and desired improvements.

Research highlights include:
Smart & Final to open 16 new stores

Smart & Final Stores Inc. credited strong merchandising and marketing initiatives with the retailer's impressive jump in same store sales for the first quarter.
Supervalu net earnings slip in Q4

Minneapolis – Net earnings at Supervalu Inc. fell 14% to $36 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 from $42 million in the identical period a year earlier. Higher selling and administrative expenses, including store closure and benefit costs, helped reduce profits.