Convenience Stores

Aston, Pa. -- Action Services Group, a national lighting, sign and electrical maintenance and service company, said that it has been officially authorized as a member of the PICS Consortium.

New York -- Two-thirds of gas and convenience mobiles searches use mobile devices exclusively, according to survey results by xAd/Telmetrics.

The 2013 U.S. Mobile Path-to-Purchase Study, conducted by Nielsen, revealed that 85% of search time in the gas and convenience category is spent on a smartphone, with most conducting gas price comparisons/searches.

The category also offers one of the highest mobile conversion rates — nearly 90% — as most mobile users who search for these services are ultimately making a purchase.

TORONTO — Loblaw has entered into a definitive agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart under which Loblaw will acquire Shoppers Drug Mart for C$12.4 billion in cash and stock.
 

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for June 2013

Shopper activity slightly decreased last month, thus returning to seasonal standards after May holidays. Retail foot traffic decreased 1.3% in June compared to May 2013, a slight departure from recently reported positive month-over-month retail trends. However, foot traffic for June 2013 was relatively flat compared to the same month in 2012 — with an increase of 0.3%.

The U.S. Census Bureau released a report showing an increase of 0.6% in retail trade sales for June when compared to May. Sales were up 6% when compared to June 2012.

The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, and exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants.

Naples, Fla. -- Kite Realty Group Trust has begun work on a $10 million renovation of the 85,497-sq.-ft. Kings Lake Square in Naples, Fla.

The renovation will demolish the center’s Publix anchor and construct a new 45,000-sq.-ft. new Publix. Additional work includes renovated shop facades new sidewalks, a new parking lot, site lighting and landscaping.

Publix will close this month and reopen the new store next spring. All other tenants will remain open during the renovation.

Houston -- CBRE’s national retail investment group has arranged the sale of Sheldon Forest Shopping Center in Channelview, Texas, east of Houston, on behalf of Weingarten Realty Investors.

Gerland’s Food Fair anchors the 97,380-sq.-ft. center. Major tenants include Family Dollar and Burke’s Outlet. Both Phase I and II of the center are 100% occupied.

Capcor Partners purchased the property for an undisclosed price.

Brampton, Ontario – Loblaw Companies Limited announced it will acquire Shoppers Drug Mart in a deal worth about $11.9 billion, merging the Canadian grocery and drug retailers. Shoppers Drug Mart will retain its name and brand and operate as a separate division of Loblaw while expanding its product offerings to include Loblaw's private label and convenience food products. Shoppers Drug Mart gives Loblaw entry into the small urban store sector.

Boston -- Bonefish Grill has signed up for 4,614 sq. ft. at the Wayside Shopping Center in Burlington, Mass., the retailer’s first Massachusetts location, according to The Wilder Cos., Wayside’s leasing, management and development firm.

Part of the multi-phase revitalization of the open-air center, Bonefish anticipates opening in late fall of this year.

MT. PROSPECT, Ill. — A newly redesigned $100 bill designed to thwart the efforts of counterfeiters is due to hit the market in early October, creating new challenges for retailers.

In recent years, the United States government redesigned multiple banknotes to curb counterfeiting. As Cummins Allison, a leading innovator and provider of coin, currency and check handling solutions, explains, government officials are always looking for ways to stay one step ahead of those trying to forge U.S. currency.