Convenience Stores

WTI expects May 2014 to trend the coldest in three years and drier than last year. On the West Coast, it will be cooler than last year, but still above normal, while the South trends warmer than last year and normal. There is a good chance that a large portion of the North will trend cooler than last year and normal. There will be a band of severe weather potential extending from the lower Mississippi Valley northeast to eastern Ohio which will set the stage for increased demand for clean-up categories.

Knoxville, Tenn. — Four new retailers have signed leases with University Commons, a new retail center adjacent to the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, Tenn. The property’s developer, CHM, made the announcement.

The newly signed retailers are Fresh To Order, a fast-fine restaurant concept; Blush Boutique, an affordable-fashion concept; Great Clips, the chain’s twentieth Knoxville-area shop; and Jersey Mike’s, the fast casual submarine sandwich franchise.

Miami Gardens, Fla. — Demolition has begun at Palmetto Gardens Plaza, a 7.1-acre shopping center site in Miami Gardens, Fla. The site is being prepared for the development of a 63,000-sq.-ft. shopping center that will include a 41,000-sq.-ft. Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and an additional inline and outparcel space of 20,000 sq. ft. — now available for lease.

Seattle – Starbucks Coffee Corp. plans to open 1,500 new stores worldwide during 2014, including 600 in North America. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said that Starbucks is under-stored in many markets, including North America, during a conference call discussing the company’s second quarter financial results.

Jelly Belly Candy Co. will celebrate its American heritage with the introduction of two new patriotic bags of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

The All American mix, which consists of Very Cherry (red), Coconut (white) and Blueberry (blue), is now available in a 3.5-oz. bag that features Mr. Jelly Belly waving the American flag. The 3.5-oz bag of Very Cherry — the top-selling jelly bean flavor, according to the company — now features an updated design with a white gingham pattern and a graphic of ripe cherries that bring to mind summer picnics.

Former Supervalu and Canadian Tire executive Wayne Sales was named to the board of directors at Toys “R” Us to fill a position vacated by Michael Calbert.

Calbert had served on the Toys “R” Us board since 2005 and the company noted his departure did not involve any disagreement. Calbert also serves on the board of Dollar General and earlier this year resigned from KKR & Co.

Phoenix -- Leslie's Poolmart, Inc. said it will grand-open 20 retail locations throughout the U.S. on April 25; stores will open in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

In total, Leslie's plans to open 45 new stores this year, between April and May of 2014.

Sidney, Neb. -- With last year’s strong first quarter fueled by a firearms and ammunition sales surge, outdoor retailer Cabela’s Inc. saw this year’s quarter end on a less stellar note.

Revenue in the first quarter fell 9.6% to $725.8 million; retail store revenue decreased 9.4% to $440.9 million. Same-store sales plunged 21.7%, compared to the same period last year.

Net income was $25.7 million, compared to $49.8 million in the year-ago quarter.