Convenience Stores

Belgium -- Belgian supermarket operator Delhaize Group said Thursday it plans to spend $1.21 billion opening new stores and remodeling existing outlets.

According to a report by Wall Street Journal, Delhaize, which operates mainly under the U.S. Food Lion, Hannaford and Sweet Bay banners, is making the investments despite a fourth quarter same-store sales decline of 0.8%.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has pulled the plug on its plan to hire former Walmart exec Hank Mullany, and is handing the keys to its retail business on an interim basis to Mike Bloom, EVP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, EVP internal operations and real estate, who will assume management for the company’s 7,100-plus stores.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Inland Real Estate Acquisitions said Thursday it has purchased nine Dollar General stores in Alabama and Georgia for $8.5 million.

According to a report by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the stores were built in 2010 and all leased to Dollar General Corp. through 2025 with multiple renewal options.

The stores range in size from approximately 9,000 sq. ft. to 10,600 sq. ft.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Save-A-Lot announced that it will break ground for a new 325,000-sq.-ft. food distribution center in Lexington, N.C.  The state-of-the-art center located in Lexington’s Business Center is expected to open by December 2011 and employ more than 40 employees initially with the potential for hiring additional employees once the facility is at full capacity.

A new poll regarding Walmart's possible entry in New York yielded quite different responses than the one the world's largest retailer featured on its promotional website. According to the New York Daily News, a survey of 300 small retail shop owners throughout the city overwhelmingly said they would not welcome a Walmart in their neighborhood.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands -- Ahold reported that net sales for its U.S. division increased 6% to $5.6 billion for the fourth quarter. Identical-store sales for the quarter increased 1.9%(0.9% excluding gasoline), and comparable sales were up 2.1%.

For the full year the company reported net sales of $23.5 billion increased b y  5.1% when compared to the adjusted full year 2009 sales. Identical sales were up 1.5% (0.4% excluding gasoline).

Cincinnati -- A survey released Thursday by Cintas Corp. found that 99% of U.S. adults say poor cleanliness negatively impacts their perception of a retail store.

In the telephone survey conducted by Harris Interactive among more than 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, respondents said that dirty restrooms and unpleasant odors are more annoying than poor customer service.

WASHINGTON -- Walmart joined First Lady Michelle Obama in Washington today to unveil a comprehensive effort to provide its customers with healthier and more affordable food choices. 

The program will involve five key elements: