Convenience Stores

The parent company of Albertsons and Safeway has named a drugstore industry veteran as its new SVP of pharmacy, health and wellness.

Duluth, Ga. - Atlanta-based Fuqua Development, along with The Worthing Companies has broken ground on Sugarloaf Market, a 31-acre, mixed-use project located in Duluth, Georgia. Anchored by the organic grocery store Sprouts Farmers Market, Sugarloaf Market will include 75,000-sq.-ft. of retail and 330 luxury apartments.  

Fuqua Development is the master developer for the project and is developing the commercial component of the project, while The Worthing Companies is developing the residential component.

Jackson, Miss. – As part of a larger plan to open 30 new corporate and franchised stores by the end of 2015 and 200 new stores by 2018, Newk's Eatery has entered a new development agreement with New Orleans-based Southeast Restaurant Group (SRG). The veteran operator of franchise and independent restaurants plans to open 15 Newk's locations throughout Southern Louisiana and in Houston.

Starbucks has unveiled its new “express” store format, just across from the New York Stock Exchange in downtown Manhattan. The 538-sq.-ft. space is one of the most streamlined in the company’s diverse portfolio.

Allentown, Pa. – Mobile payment is growing, and Millennials and men may be leading the way. According to a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by Harbortouch examining the current state of mobile payment adoption shows that Millennials were the highest percentage of mobile payment users, with nearly 42% falling into that demographic.

In addition, men are twice as likely to use some form of mobile payment compared to women. Of those surveyed who aren't currently using mobile payments, 20% blame payment-related issues.

Digital interactions are expected to influence 64 cents of every dollar spent in retail stores by the end of 2015, or $2.2 trillion, according to Deloitte.

Louisville, Colo. -- Trader Joe’s is America’s favorite grocery retailer for the third year in a row, according to a study of more than 7,200 consumers by Market Force Information. Publix ranked a close second and Aldi was third.

The owner of Corner Bakery, Arby’s and Batteries Plus, among other national retailers, has acquired Pet Supermarket.

Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital Group says Pet Supermarket will remain headquartered in Sunrise, Fla., and continue to be led by CEO Diane Holtz. Pet Supermarket operates 155 pet specialty retail stores in 11 states generating over $300 million of revenue.