Convenience Stores

Meijer wraps up its 2013 growth strategy with the opening of a huge supercenter in Danville, Ill., this week. The 190, 000-sq.-ft. store is the last of six new stores the retailer has opened this year in the Midwest, which represents its most aggressive expansion in recent history.

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS Caremark Corp. on Tuesday raised its profit forecast for the year on Tuesday, amid better-than-expected profit. Net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 3013, grew 25% to $1.25 billion, compared to $1 billion in the same quarter the prior year.

Net revenues rose 5.8% to $32 billion compared with the year-ago period.

Mason, Ohio – Pearle Vision plans to convert four of its stores in Orlando, Fla., from company-owned to licensees. Pearle Vision is currently seeking qualified candidates who are interested in owning and operating a Pearle Vision store to purchase four existing locations for sale in Orlando.

Minneapolis -- Wireless Ronin Technologies has established a relationship with Denny’s Corp., and received an initial order from AAFES to install its RoninCast digital menu system at the Denny’s Fresh Express concept at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

The  Ronin’s solution will feature digital menu and promotional screens that display a streamlined menu for both Denny’s Fresh Express and Denny’s AllNighter concepts.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with three existing franchise groups to develop 12 new restaurants in Detroit during the next several years. Existing franchise group Coffee Ventures, LLC plans to develop seven restaurants in suburban Detroit between 2014 and 2017, while existing Detroit franchisees Tarun and Falguni Raval plan to develop one restaurant in Detroit in 2014 and existing Detroit franchisees Nick and Masoud Shango plan to develop four restaurants in Detroit between 2014 and 2016.

CVS, which posted a solid third quarter across its enterprise, is well-positioned to benefit from the rapidly changing healthcare environment. That was a key message that CVS president and CEO Larry Merlo had for analysts during the company’s third-quarter conference call.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General on Monday named Todd Vasos as COO with responsibility for store operations, merchandising and supply chain. The company also said David D'Arezzo has joined the chain as executive VP and chief merchandising officer.

Green Bay, Wis. -- Shopko continues on its growth path with the opening of five new Shopko Hometown stores in November. The new stores are located in: Afton, Wyo.; Ellsworth, Wis.; St. Peter, Minn.; Tomahawk, Wis., and Winneconne, Wis.

Convenience store operator Wawa is expanding through Florida with a fresh, new prototype whose palette, materials and textures complement the look and feel of the Sunshine state. The use of warm colors and abundant natural light enhance the store’s inviting, upmarket vibe.

The prototype reflects the language and style associated with Floridian architecture. Exterior elements include pastel colors, clapboard siding, pitched roofs and front porches that reference historic south and central Florida building types.

Wakefield, Mass. – Most consumers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia are not using mobile technology for holiday shopping this year, but many will use mobile devices for product research and in-store showrooming. According to results of the 2013 Holiday Preferences Study from SDL, the majority of consumers in the U.S. (64%), U.K. (68%) and Australia (67%) are not using a tablet or smartphone more this year to purchase gifts.