Convenience Stores

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%.

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.

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.

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.

Mendota Heights, Minn. -- St. Paul, Minn.-based Paster Enterprises announced that the new Walgreens at Mendota Plaza in Mendota Heights, Minn., is officially open.  

The 14,820-sq.-ft. Walgreens is a new prototype featuring, in addition to exterior design enhancements, improved aisle graphics, more accessible shelving, polished concrete floors and an updated photo finishing area.

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.

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.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s will open a store Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in spring 2012. The 50,000-sq.-ft. store will be Cabela’s third store in Canada, joining locations in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a former S.I.R. Warehouse Sports Store acquired and converted in 2008, and Edmonton, Alberta, to open late this summer.