Convenience Stores

Sam’s Club run of six consecutive quarters of accelerating same-store sales growth will come to an end in the third quarter unless the warehouse club operator exceeds guidance provided earlier this week after reporting a 5% second-quarter comp increase.

Even though Sam’s president and CEO Brian Cornell noted that momentum remains strong, he added that “it’s important to remember that it was in the third quarter last year that our comp performance began to accelerate, so our comparisons for the back half will be more challenging.”

Look for a big number out of Walmart come early October when it discloses 2012 expansion plans for smaller formats in conjunction with the company’s fall analysts’ meeting. Here’s how you can tell. Reading between the lines on the company’s second quarter earnings call transcript Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon touted the fact that the return on investment for Neighborhood Market stores is now the same as Walmart supercenters. Recall, in the past the rationale for the slow expansion pace of the 40,000-sq.-ft.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Strong performances in key categories and higher gas profitability helped BJ’s Wholesale Club exceed its earnings guidance for the second quarter. The company reported net income for the period ended July 30 of $45.7 million, or 84 cents per diluted share. The company's guidance called for net income in the range of $40.5 to $42.5 million and earnings in the range of 74 cents to 78 cents per diluted share. For the second quarter of 2010, BJ's reported net income of $35.8 million, or 67 cents per diluted share.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Kroger announced that two of its Smith's stores in Albuquerque, N.M., have installed photovoltaic energy panels.

The solar energy system on the roof of each Smith's store consists of 442 panels, each containing cells that convert sunlight into direct current electricity, Kroger said. Smith's was selected to be among the first Kroger division stores to install photovoltaic panels.

CHICAGO — The first CityTarget in downtown Chicago won’t open until next summer and already the store is assured of healthy lunch and dinner time traffic thanks to the addition of a Pret A Manger restaurant.

 For those who don’t speak French, Pret A Manger means “ready to eat,” and serves as a reference to the restaurant’s offering of such fresh and preservative free food as sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee. Regulars refer to the restaurant simply as Pret.

LOS ANGELES — Kroger banners Ralphs and Food 4 Less have both announced fundraising campaigns to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliates in California. 

Customers and associates at both stores can support their local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate by donating their spare change in collection canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Ralphs of Food 4 Less Supermarket.The Komen fundraising camSupaign will run through Nov. 5, 2011.

LONDON — Real customers from Walmart's Asda division will be a part of Dove's billboard advertising campaign. 

Ten models were chosen as the winners of a competition that ran through Asda earlier this year. Winners were treated to a makeover, colour consultation and professional hair styling before they stepped in front of the camera. George, Asda's clothing division, provided the attire for the shoot.