Convenience Stores

Retail sales fall for third straight month
New York -- Retail sales fell 0.5% in June, the Commerce Department said on Monday, as consumer spending declined for the third consecutive month. The drop, which followed a 0.2% decrease in May, was unexpected as many economists were expecting growth.

Falling gas prices were attributed to some of the weakness. But even excluding sales at gas stations, retail spending fell 0.3% in June. Economists said weak job growth was making consumers cautious and eating away at consumer confidence.
Market Track: June 2012
Retailers scaled back on their promotional efforts in June this year when compared to last year—there were decreases in the number of circulars released by the majority of retailers, as well as a decrease in the number of pages per circular.

Carrefour sales fall, reaffirms profit expectations

Paris -- French retail giant Carrefour reported Thursday that sales in the second quarter dipped 0.3% to $26.5 billion, beating analysts’ expectations and prompting the retailer to issue earnings guidance to match 2012 expectations of $2.5 to $2.6 billion.
Heineken USA brings historic Mexican beer to the States

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Heineken USA announced that it has brought Indio, a dark beer that has been sold in Mexico since 1893 to the United States. The beer is now available in 6-pack and 12-packs at locations throughout Chicago,Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
What will they think of next?

Target has come up with some clever buzz-building brand activities over the years and a new initiative underway in Seattle is no exception.
The Pantry announces debt refinancing

Cary, N.C. -- The Pantry said Thursday that it is pursuing debt refinancing consisting of up to $480 million of senior secured credit facilities and $250 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes.
Walmart alum missing magic at new employer

When Craig Herkert left Walmart a few years ago to become president and CEO of Supervalu the situation that unfolded earlier this week at the grocer was not what he had in mind.
Herkert on hot seat as Supervalu flounders

Yikes! After a monstrous earnings miss, Supervalu suspended its earnings guidance and dividend and said it was exploring strategic alternatives.
Supervalu Q1 profit plunges, initiates strategic review

Minneapolis -- Grocery giant SuperValu Inc. reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended June 16 plummeted 45% to $41 million, compared with $74 million in the year-ago period. The struggling parent to Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and Save-A-Lot grocery banners, among others, had begun to show improvement in its fourth quarter, but tumbling revenues have halted the forward momentum.

Sales dropped to $10.59 billion, from $11.11 billion in the same period last year, and missed Wall Street’s forecasted $10.61 billion in revenue.
Starbucks expands mobile payment footprint globally

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. announced the continued global expansion of the Starbucks mobile platform with the roll-out of Starbucks app for Android to the United Kingdom and Canada.

In addition, U.S. customers who download or update to the official Starbucks app for Android will be able to experience new enhancements including a widget, PayPal support, PIN code protection, and viewing the My Starbucks Rewards history dashboard.

Retail sales fall for third straight month

Market Track: June 2012

Carrefour sales fall, reaffirms profit expectations

Heineken USA brings historic Mexican beer to the States

What will they think of next?

The Pantry announces debt refinancing

Walmart alum missing magic at new employer

Herkert on hot seat as Supervalu flounders

Supervalu Q1 profit plunges, initiates strategic review

Starbucks expands mobile payment footprint globally