Convenience Stores

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P officially opened on Friday its new Superfresh store, featuring a full-service pharmacy and expanded international offerings, in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood.

The 51,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood store marks A&P’s first new store in Pennsylvania in more than 10 years, and brings nearly 120 new jobs to the community.

New York City -- Walgreens has renewed its lease on the ground floor of the Empire State Building, and exchanged 10,000 sq. ft. of retail space on the concourse level to 10,000 sq. ft. on the second floor near the observatory exit elevators, according to a report published by REBusiness Online Thursday.

"The all-glass second-floor store is slated for a first quarter 2012 completion," the report stated. Walgreens’ lease in the Empire State Building is for a 15-year term and totals 18,818 sq. ft.

 

New York City -- A survey released Thursday by consumer research firm AlixPartners found that 51% of consumers visit traditional supermarkets for their grocery shopping, while 30% shop mass merchants such as Walmart for groceries. Drug stores pull 5% of grocery shoppers, as do dollar stores.

NEW YORK — A recent consumer survey released by AlixPartners found that a little more than half of all consumers (51%) identify a traditional grocery retailer as their point of destination when making a grocery trip. Such mass merchants as Walmart are capturing 30% of those trips, and the continued emphasis on fresh in the drug channel has drawn 5% of those trips into the mainstream pharmacy.

Dollar stores, another channel that has in the past few years made a significant push into food items, also draws 5% of all grocery trips.

By Howard Paster, [email protected]

Phoenix -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market said Thursday it has turned on 11 rooftop solar installations in Phoenix and Los Angeles. The panels, installed by REC Solar, will provide 536 kW of power and supply 20% of each store’s energy needs.

Former Walmart chief information officer Linda Dillman is among a group of 10 executives who will be recognized for outstanding achievement in driving diversity and inclusion in the consumer product and retail industry when the Network of Executive Women gathers next month in Orlando for its annual meeting.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General and NASCAR have announced the first-ever national retail program around the Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup. As part of the partnership, Dollar General will launch the "Race to Win" sweepstakes on Aug. 28. The sweepstakes, which runs through Nov. 12, offers customers the chance to win more than 9,000 prizes including free gas for a year, a trip to Las Vegas and $250,000.

The sweepstakes will be promoted by NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. in stores, online and on national radio.