Convenience Stores

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday unveiled plans to establish deeper roots on its home turf with its “Chicago Hometown Investment Initiative,” a plan that will create an estimated 600 new jobs in the city over the next two years and quadruple the number of Walgreens’ food oasis stores.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is cutting gas prices by 10-cents a gallon for three months to help consumers worried about their spending amid a sputtering economy and busy summer travel season. The chain said that customers visiting participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations in 18 states through Sept. 30 will receive a discount on all fuel, gas and diesel purchases when they use a reloadable Walmart gift card, Walmart MoneyCard or a Walmart credit card.

Eden Prairie, Minn. -- Supervalu announced that its ongoing commitment to reducing waste culminated with a milestone in fiscal year 2011, marking the first time recycling revenues exceeded landfill waste expenses. In total, the company reduced garbage expenses by 12.6% over last year’s levels, while also conducting an aggressive cardboard recycling initiative that nearly doubled revenues from the previous year. The end result was the company’s waste and recycling program posted a profit to the company’s bottom line.

New York City -- Retailers lost $37.14 billion to theft last year, or 1.58% of retail sales, up from 1.44% in 2009, according to preliminary results of the National Retail Security Survey. The annual survey is conducted by the University of Florida for the National Retail Federation, with funding from ADT Commercial.

As in previous years, employee theft accounted for the largest (approximately 44%) portion of the losses. Shoplifting and organized retail crime was second, with 33%. Administrative errors, vendor fraud and unknown causes make up the rest.

By Beatrice Piquer-Durand, [email protected]

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Select Target stores are now the exclusive retailer of Bear Naked's newest breakfast cereal.

Bear Naked Nut Cluster Crunch comes in honey almond and maple nut variety is available for a suggested retail price of $3.99.  

Bear Naked, which specializes in natural food products, was designed to give busy, active people the natural energy they need to make the most of their morning.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts on Monday announced it has signed agreements with three franchisees to develop 12 new restaurants throughout Tampa over the next several years.

"The Sunshine State is a priority growth market for Dunkin' Donuts in 2011, and we're excited to expand our footprint in Tampa," said Grant Benson, CFE, VP franchising and market planning, Dunkin' Brands.

Allendale, N.J. -- Video screens delivering marketing messages and other media at the shelf level have been installed in nine Bloom grocery stores in the Washington, D.C., area.

Los Angeles -- X Team International said that Los Angeles-based partner Cypress Retail Group has completed a lease for the first full-service 24 Hour Fitness SuperSport in North Hollywood, Calif.

Parker, Colo. -- Westwood Financial Corp. said it has acquired the Stroh Ranch Retail Center, a 6,336-sq.-ft. property in Parker, Colo., outside Denver. Westwood Financial bought the distressed asset in a short sale and said it is currently eyeing similar opportunities in this sector.

The two-unit, 1999-built Stroh Ranch Retail Center currently counts Pizza Hut as its only tenant after Blockbuster vacated last year, leaving it 21% leased.