Convenience Stores

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens opened its latest New York flagship store in the Empire State Building on March 23.

The store includes an enhanced pharmacy designed to encourage greater interaction between pharmacists and patients, a health guide to help customers find health-and-wellness products and healthcare services ranging from immunizations to health tests. An "Ask Your Pharmacist" desk, private consultation rooms and Express Rx kiosks are included as well.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Pepsi has unveiled a new single-serve bottle, marking its first design update since 1996.  The new bottle will be rolled out in markets nationwide starting in April in 16-ounce and 20-ounce packaging, with full conversion taking a few years. 

Minneapolis -- Supervalu announced appointments to its executive team, including Janel Haugarth who will remain with the company as EVP and president of independent business and supply chain services. The announcement comes as Sam Duncan, Supervalu president and chief executive continues finalizing his leadership team following the sale of five retail banners to Cerberus-led investment group AB Acquisition LLC, a transaction that was completed on March 21.

In other appointments:

New Orleans -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties said that Walgreens has opened a new store on Magazine Street in New Orleans.

New York -- Starbucks Coffee Company on Friday offered an online coupon though Groupon Inc., Bloomberg reported. It is the first time the chain has had a Groupon offering.

For $5, customers received a printable gift card to use in Starbucks’ stores for $10, according to the report.  

The recent announcement that retail giant Walmart plans to open more than 100 of the brand’s Neighborhood Market stores in 2013, and as many as 500 Neighborhood Market locations over the next few years, has industry analysts and observers talking. They have my attention, as well.

Paducah, Ky. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that a new restaurant and two new stores will open at its Kentucky Oaks Mall property, located in Paducah, Ky.

Los Burritos Locos will open a 2,400-sq.-ft. restaurant on April 1 near the mall’s main entrance. Yankee Candle will open a 1,200-sq.-ft. store between Gymboree and Victoria’s Secret in June, and Shoe Carnival will occupy more than 16,300 sq. ft. next to David’s Bridal.

LOS ANGELES — U.K.-based Tesco has lost up to $2 billion in its failed Fresh & Easy California venture, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times — Tesco had placed the troubled grocer on the sales bloc in December following the departure of Fresh & Easy CEO Tim Mason. 

The retailer's struggles can be traced to labor unions and an ambitious investment into an 850,000-sq.-ft. distribution center that placed pressure on the 200-store chain to expand rapidly, according to the LA Times report.