Convenience Stores

New York -- A group of 11 large U.S. retailers that report same-store sales results each month had a generally strong showing in July. However, Thomson Reuters analysis indicates significant discounting helped drive an overall 4.4% increase, more than double the 1.4% same-store sales rise recorded in July of last year.

Minneapolis — Holiday Stationstores has reached an agreement with I-90 Fuel Services to convert 16 of The Gas Stop convenience stores to Holiday Stationstores, expanding the Holiday brand in the South Dakota and Southwestern Minnesota markets.

The Gas Stop stores making the conversion are located in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Brandon, Mitchell, Mobridge, Pierre and Volga, South Dakota. The Minnesota stores are in Luverne and Worthington.

Doubling sales in any category within a four year time span would be an audacious goal for any retailer, but that was the objective Walmart set for itself in the beer category last fall, according to Bloomberg.

Quincy, Mass. -- Grocer Stop & Shop said it will close its six Stop & Shop banners and three gas stations in New Hampshire by Sept. 21, marking the chain’s exit from the state.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts said it will open eight new restaurants in Rochester, N.Y., via a multi-unit store development agreement executed with existing franchisee Luis Ribeiro.

Ribeiro currently owns 25 of the 61 Dunkin' Donuts in the Greater Rochester area.  

"We expect 10 to 20 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants to open in Rochester over the next few years," said Grant Benson, VP franchising and business development, Dunkin' Brands.

Washington, D.C. -- In a settlement agreement with the U.S. Labor Department, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to improve safety conditions for employees who use trash compactors and cleaning chemicals at 2,857 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in 28 states.

The retailer will also pay a $190,000 fine to fix hazards uncovered during an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection at a store in Rochester, N.Y.
 

New York  — New Street Realty Advisors has announced two recent transactions:

McLean, Va. – Cabela’s used mobile payment processing software from Sage Payment Solutions at seven recent Family Outdoor Days events for holders of its Cabela’s Club Visa card. Sage Mobile Payments was successfully deployed at the Dilliner, Pa., Berlin, Wis., Puyallup, Wash., and Billings, Mont. Family Outdoor Days on June 1, June 20, July 13 and July 27, respectively. The three remaining Family Outdoor Days events will occur in Prior Lake, Minn., on Aug. 10, Cedar Fort, Utah, on Aug. 24, and Kearney, Neb., on Sept. 28.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is considering entering the bidding for Hong Kong-based grocery chain ParknShop, Reuters reports. Wal-Mart is currently exploring options to enter the initial bidding process for ParknShop, which closes Aug. 16.

ParknShop is owned by Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., which in turn is owned by Li Ka-shing, reputedly the wealthiest man in Asia. The chain may be valued as high as $4 billion.

Wal-Mart, which has not commented publicly, said last year it would open 100 new stores in China by 2015.

Walmart may make a bid for 345 store Hong Kong supermarket chain known as ParknShop that is owned by Hutchison Whampoa, according to a Reuters report that cited people familiar with the matter.

Walmart is often linked to international retailers as a potential acquirer and according to the Reuters report it is among eight potential suitors for ParknShop who have until August 16 to submit preliminary offers.