Mass Merchant

It was steady as she goes for Target and many other retailers in terms of circular promotional activity in August, according to the last marketing insights from Market Track. There were a few instances where the number of pages per circular increased noticeably even if the number of circulars distributed was fairly consistent. For example, Walmart, Safeway and Best Buy saw the largest increase in pages while Lowe’s, JCPenney and Home Depot were the biggest decliners.

Wyomissing, Pa. -- Phoenix-based Cole Real Estate Investments said Monday that it has executed a lease with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores in Wyomissing, Pa., for approximately 25,000 sq. ft., backfilling a former Borders location.

The in-line store is located adjacent to OfficeMax, Toys “R” Us and Old Navy.

ATLANTA — Canada's importance to the retail industry continues to grow, made evident by the recent news that Office Depot has engaged ShopVisible, a leading provider of on-demand e-commerce, social commerce, and mobile commerce solutions, to launch the retailer’s new Canadian-facing e-commerce site.

Tustin, Calif. -- Coreland Cos. of Tustin, Calif., announced that Kim Talley has been named senior associate, retail brokerage.

Talley was previously senior associate with CB Richard Ellis. She has completed transactions with TJ Maxx, Wells Fargo, TruValue Hardware, Starbucks and Citibank.

New York City -- Marsh Supermarket will spend $60 million to build up to 10 stores and remodel or rebuild several more over the next three years, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.

The new stores will average 40,000 sq. ft. to 60,000 sq. ft. with a strong focus on fresh fruits and vegetables and service-oriented components, according to the report.

Marsh operates of 70 namesake stores and 27 smaller-format Mainstreet Market stores. It is privately held, a portfolio company of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners.

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ’s Wholesale Club said Friday that its shareholders have okayed the acquisition bid that will take the company private.

Private equity firms Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners agreed to acquire the warehouse club operator in a deal valued at $2.8 billion.

According to BJ’s, 72% of its shareholders approved the bid. The deal is slated to close on or about Sept. 30.
 

Waynesville, N.C. -- Shopping center developer CBL & Associates Properties, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., said Friday that it has launched construction on its newest community center project Waynesville Commons, located in Waynesville, N.C.

The 127,500-sq.-ft. shopping center will be anchored by a new 85,000-sq.-ft. Belk fashion department store, which joins the existing Walmart.

New York City -- Aldi is close to making a deal to open its first supermarket in Manhattan, Craine’s New York reported.

The German discount grocer opened its first store in New York City, in Queens, last year. According to Craine’s, Aldi is set to lease space at East River Plaza, located between 116th St. and 119 St. in Harlem. The shopper center already boasts such tenants as Target, Best Buy and the city’s first Costco.