Convenience Stores

Smart & Final’s largest shareholder has further reduced its ownership stake in the profitable and growing company by 10 million shares, but still maintains majority control as the retailer pursues ambitious plans in 2015.

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust and The Macerich Company announced that they have reached a tentative agreement with the City of Philadelphia on a redevelopment and re-branding of the Gallery shopping mall and transit center in the heart of Center City.

Carlisle, Pa. -- Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets said they will begin paying all non-union workers a minimum of $9 a hour beginning in June.

The operator of 200 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia said the move was part of the company’s commitment to provide competitive wages.

"Our associates are the foundation of our success, and we have always believed in paying competitive wages to attract the best talent," said Tom Lenkevich, Giant/Martin’s president.

Washington, D.C. - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is publicly supporting the Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015.

In advance of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s markup of the bill, RILA released a statement saying retail and grocery industries have long been in support of a federal data breach notification and data security law that sets a single national standard.

Some of the biggest names in retail soon will be honored in the nation’s capital when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy host an annual event to recognize Energy Star Partners of the Year.

Among this year’s award recipients are Home Depot, Sears, Best Buy, Kroger, Kohl’s, Food Lion, Staples and JCPenney. The eight retailers are among 128 total companies being honored as Energy Star Partners of the Year from the roughly 16,000 companies who partner with EPA on the broad-based energy efficiency program.

New York -- Toms and Whole Foods Market grabbed the top spots in a survey of the most socially responsible companies by marketing consultancy Good Must Grow. Rounding out the top five: Microsoft, Starbucks and the Red Cross.

The survey asked consumers to name one company or organization that is socially responsible. Seventy-nine percent of the respondents said they were familiar with the term “socially responsible,” and of those, 77% said it was an important factor in their shopping behaviors.

New York – Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but that many criminals still rely decades-old techniques such as phishing and hacking.  According to the 2015 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, the bulk of the cyberattacks (70%) use a combination of these techniques and involve a secondary victim, adding complexity to a breach.

City of Industry, Calif. – 99 Cents Only Stores Inc. plans to open nine new stores in Arizona, California and Texas between April 16 and April 18. On April 16, 99 Cents Only will open new stores in Canoga Park, Glendora and Vallejo, California.

On April 17, 99 Cents Only will open new stores in Chico and Escondido, California and Houston. On Saturday, April 18, 99 Cents Only will open new stores in Mesa, Arizona and Sylmar and Tustin, California.

Alexandria, Va. - A majority of Americans say they are optimistic about the economy and low gas prices are driving the optimism. Overall, survey results released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) shows that 52% of Americans are optimistic about the economy, an eight-point jump from March.

Dallas -- The Woodmont Co. represented Firehouse Subs in the food chain’s continued expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The fast-casual restaurant chain retained Woodmont to identify four strategic locations which have now been secured. The spaces range in size from 1,800 sq. ft. to 2,025 sq. ft., and the first of the four new restaurants opened in late January 2015, with the remainder opening as early as April 2015.

Grant Gary and Joseph Williams of The Woodmont Co. represented Firehouse Subs in all four transactions.