Convenience Stores

MONTREAL – U.S. discount-store operators should keep an eye on their Northern neighbors, as Canadian dollar stores continue to thrive. Anticipating their growth potential, Virginia-based Dollar Tree acquired Canada’s Dollar Giant Store in November 2010, adding 86 more stores to its repertoire and marking its first expansion outside of the United States.

MEMPHIS — Fred's on Thursday reported a 3% increase in sales for the five weeks ended April 2, reaching $188.8 million.

Comparable-store sales for the month rose 0.7%, versus an increase of 3.6% in the same period last year.

New York City -- Shoppers surprised analysts in March by spending stronger than expected during the month, despite rising gas prices, cooler-than-normal temperatures and a late Easter. The Thomson Reuters Same-Store Sales Index rose 1.7% in March, beating estimates, which called for a decrease of 0.7%.

HOUSTON — Sharps Compliance's TakeAway envelope solution is making its way to Kroger and its family of stores.

Kroger, which operates stores under several banners across 31 states, will offer the the medication disposal envelopes at its pharmacy counters. The goal: To offer a safe and environmentally-responsible means of disposing unused, expired or unwanted noncontrolled prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Kroger joins such retailers as Rite Aid, which recently implemented Sharps Compliance's TakeAway program in its stores.

HOUSTON -- Cardtronics, the world's largest retail ATM owner, announced that Lucia Romanello Crater has joined Cardtronics as the company's new VP U.S. merchant sales. 

Chicago -- Convenience store in-store sales grew 4.4% in 2010, reaching a record $190.4 billion, according to NACS. Total convenience store sales in 2010 were $575.6 billion.

The industry's 2010 numbers were announced in Chicago at the annual NACS State of the Industry Summit. The number of U.S. c-stores grew 1.2% over the past year and stands at a record 146,341 stores, according to the NACS/Nielsen TDLinx 2011 Convenience Industry Store Count, released in January 2011.

Bedminster, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that Great Clips has opened a 960-sq.-ft. salon, and Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa (2,317 sq. ft.) along with eateries Panchero's (2,500 sq. ft.) and Subway (1,240 sq. ft.) will all open shortly at The Hills Village Center, in Bedminster, N.J.

Westchester, Ill. -- Tri-Land Properties announced that Dr. Holly Xu, Fashionista Exchange, Jimmy John’s, Lee Lee Nails, Party Time Liquor and Pride Cleaners have joined the company’s projects throughout Indiana and Kansas City.

Lee Lee Nails opened a 1,200-sq.-ft. salon at Century Plaza, a 300,592-sq.-ft. community center in Merrillville, Ind.

Minneapolis -- Opus Development Corp. announced that John Gelderman has been hired as senior VP national retail development.

In his new position, Gelderman will lead the current Opus retail team, oversee all existing retail development and will be responsible for seeking all new retail development opportunities across the country.

Union, N.J. -- A Seabra Foods and Koki Japanese Buffet opened at Galloping Hill Center in Union, N.J., according to Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp., the property’s exclusive leasing and managing agent.

A Seabra Foods is a full-service grocer and will open a 30,861-sq. ft. space formerly housed by another supermarket tenant.

Koki Japanese Buffet leased 5,500 sq. ft., joining other retailers and services including Mandee, Memory Lane Hallmark, Citibank, Weight Watchers, Radio Shack and Manhattan Bagel.