Foodservice

St. Petersburg, Fla. — The Sembler Company is redeveloping the Publix Shopping Center at 3700 4th Street North in St. Petersburg, Fla., on behalf of Publix Super Markets.

Publix will close the store on Dec. 28 to begin the redevelopment of the 50,600-sq.-ft. grocery store and associated liquor store. Improvements will include the construction of new buildings, new landscaping and parking areas. Publix expects to re-open in its new buildings in late 2014.

New York — Sarah’s Kitchen has signed a lease for a 9,150-sq.-ft. space at 270 Madison Ave., between East 39th and East 40th Streets in Midtown Manhattan. Expected to open in third quarter 2014, the eatery will occupy approximately 6,350 sq. ft. on the ground floor and 2,800 sq. ft. in a mezzanine.

PD Properties represented Sarah’s Kitchen, which is part of the same restaurant group that operates Delmonico’s Gourmet Food Market. Winick Realty Group represented the landlord, ABS Partners in the transaction.

After more than 46 years of service, Publix Super Markets Miami division VP Bill Fauerbach has announced his decision to retire at the end of March 2014. Stepping into the role in his place will be Kevin Murphy on April 1.

“Bill helped grow our culture and build a solid foundation on which the Miami division will continue to grow. We thank him for his many contributions, and he will be missed by us all,” said Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw.

Meijer is relying on a familiar tactic to drum up foot traffic into its stores ahead of Thanksgiving Day by once again offering aggressive pricing on turkeys.

"A Thanksgiving meal isn't complete without the turkey, and with these great prices, Meijer wants to ensure that our customers can provide their families with the best holiday experience," said Jerry Suter, VP of fresh merchandise.

Kroger is expanding its presence in one of the nation’s most competitive retail markets.

The grocery retailer plans to open five new Marketplace stores and expand the size of three existing locations in North Texas in the next two years — a capital investment of $150 million. The company also plans to open multiple fuel centers and remodel existing properties. The growth initiative will create more than 1,700 full- and part-time career opportunities that offer competitive pay, healthcare plans, retirement options, product discounts and other incentives.

Austin, Texas – Whole Foods Market disappointed Wall Street analysts with its fourth quarter results despite posting increases in net income, sales and same-store sales. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, Whole Foods posted net income of $121 million, up 7% from $113 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Grocer Harris Teeter credited its pricing and promotional strategies for driving unit sales and customer visits, which led to increased net and same-store sales for fiscal 2013.

For fiscal 2013, sales rose 3.8% to $4.71 billion from $4.54 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales for the year increased 2.23%.

Dave Moss was named vp of merchandising and three other executives were elevated to the vice president level at Tyler, Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Several buyout firms are reportedly considering attempting a partial or total purchase of Safeway Inc., with Cerberus Capital Management LP among the potential bidders, according to Reuters.

Safeway has retained Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as an advisor, the report said.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway Inc. saw its net income plunge 58% from $157 million to $65.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, amid a software impairment charge, higher theft and lower property gains. Results, however, beat expectations however.

Sales grew 1.1% from $8.52 billion to $8.62 billion, driven by a 1.9% improvement in same-store sales.