Convenience Stores

Target to open 15 stores in 2015, including eight smaller-former TargetExpress locations
Minneapolis — Target Corp. is opening 15 stores this year, with an emphasis on its smaller-sized TargetExpress format as it looks to further reach guests in urban centers. The discounter will open eight TargetExpress locations, one CityTarget and six general merchandise stores.

Target stated that its strategic store growth is focused on reaching guests in urban centers with new formats like TargetExpress and CityTarget, while also offering new experiences, merchandising layouts and innovations in its general merchandise stores.
Target expanding with smaller stores
Target may not have been very successful in Canada, but the retailer has an altogether different strategy for the United States, where it will open 15 stores in 2015.

Target says it plans to open more small store formats than suburban big box stores this year.

The Minneapolis-based retailer will bring its smallest store, TargetExpress, which at 20,000 square feet is about a sixth of the size of its traditional big box stores, to two more metropolitan areas this year with one store slated for Chicago and two for the Washington, D.C., area.

EPA recognizes Kroger for leadership in reducing food waste

Cincinnati — The Kroger Co. has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts to reduce food waste.

Kroger participated in the EPA's Food Recovery Challenge and came out on top in three categories: Leadership, Innovation, and Education and Outreach.
Albertsons-Safeway merger officially closes

Boise, Idaho - Albertsons LLC and Safeway Inc. have completed their proposed merger, ending a nearly year-long process that began in March 2014. AB Acquisition LLC, the owner of Albertson's and New Albertson's, Inc., will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway.

The merger will create a diversified network that includes 2,230 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants with more than 250,000 employees across 34 states and the District of Columbia.
More 'green' accolades for Kroger

The Kroger Co. is getting more accolades from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this time for its efforts to reduce food waste.
Industry groups urge retailers to get ready for retirement of coupon barcodes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Joint Industry Coupon Committee on Thursday urged retailers to prepare for the retirement of UPC Prefix 5 barcodes from manufacturer coupons. These symbols will no longer be used after June 30, 2015, as manufacturers shift to exclusive use of the GS1 DataBar format for coupons.
Pantry produces Q1 profit

Cary, N.C. – The Pantry Inc. is heading into its pending merger with Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. in a profitable state. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, The Pantry reported net income of $18.9 million, compared to a net loss of $5.1 million in the same quarter a year earlier.
Report: Family Dollar CEO to sell up to 2 million shares

Matthews, N.C. – Howard Levine, CEO of Family Dollar Stores Inc., reportedly plans to sell between one and two million shares of company stock in the next 10 days. According to the Charlotte Business Journal, Levine filed his intention to make the sale with SEC.
Rite Aid January same-store sales rise 4.8%

Camp Hill, Pa. – Same-store sales rose 4.8% in January 2015 compared to the same month a year earlier at Rite Aid Corp. Front-end same store sales increased 2.9% while same store pharmacy sales, which included negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 5.7%.

Total drugstore sales increased 4.3% to $2.03 billion compared to $1.943billion for the same period the prior year. Prescription sales accounted for 70.3% of drugstore sales.
Active flu season lifts Rite Aid in January

A stronger than average flu season helped Rite Aid post an increase in same store sales for January. The company reported a 4.8% increase in same-store sales for the four weeks ended Jan. 24. Rite Aid's January front-end same-store sales increased 2.9%.
Walmart COO McKenna keepin’ it simple

Seven weeks into her new role as chief operating officer of Walmart’s U.S. stores division Judith McKenna shared insights into her priorities for the retailer’s domestic business with a gathering of more than 400 suppliers Friday morning.
T2 takes top honors Retail Design Institute annual competition

New York -- T2, a specialty tea store in the Shoreditch area of London, and designed by Landini Associates, of Sydney, Australia, was named Store of the Year by the Retail Design Institute, whose annual design competition recognized more than 45 retail design projects in 20-plus retail formats for excellence in design and execution. The winning projects were honored at the Institute's 44th Annual Awards Gala, at the TimesCenter Stage, New York City.