Independents

Mahwah, N.J. - Inserra Supermarkets has named Ron Onorato as its new president and COO. Onorato takes over the role as Steve Chalas retires from the Inserra after a more than 50-year career.

Onorato brings more than 35 years of industry experience to his new role at Inserra. Previously, Onorato served as the senior VP of operational initiatives of Ahold USA, and as the president of the New York division of Stop & Shop.

Inserra Supermarkets owns and operates 21 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and New York.
 

The Fresh Market will cede some of its market share to its biggest competitor even as it posted strong fourth quarter earnings and an upbeat outlook for 2015.

The company announced that it would be exiting California by the end of this month and closing all three of its remaining stores there, as it focuses on its stores in the eastern part of the United States. The company also cited slower “organic store growth” as another reason for the decision.

Milwaukee – Roundy’s Inc. reported net income of $7.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, more than double $3.5 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. A shift from net after-tax loss to net after-tax income from 27 Rainbow stores that were closed or sold drove net income growth.

Roundy’s plans to open five new stores in fiscal 2015, including one in the first quarter.

Regional grocery chain Roundy’s Inc. is heading out of a “transition year,” according to CEO Robert Mariano, with lackluster same store sales growth.

Roundy’s reported a same-store sales decline of 2.3% for the fourth quarter. In 2014 overall, same-store sales dipped 2.9%. For the year, net sales reached $3.86 billion, up from $3.35 billion in 2013. 

New York -- These are tough times for discount grocery stores — unless the company happens to be the fast-growing Aldi. Pittsburgh-based supermarket operator Giant Eagle plans to close all eight of its Good Cents Grocery + More stores. The closures are set for March 26.

The recently merged Albertsons and Safeway organization has appointed Justin Dye as chief administrative officer of the combined company.   Lee Wilson, who previously held this position with the company, has elected to stay in his role as consultant and not go forward as an officer with the newly combined organization.  

Essen, Germany – Global discount supermarket retailer Aldi Inc. is thinking big when it comes to Texas. According to the Dallas Morning News, Aldi sees potential for as many as 450 stores in the Lone Star State.

This would be part of a larger expansion program, announced in November, that would grow Aldi’s total U.S. store count by 650 units to about 2,000 by 2018. Southern California is another major growth target for the chain.

Leading regional supermarket operator Hy-Vee is expanding its relationship with Interactions to provide experiential marketing services.

Interactions says it will engage shoppers through experiential marketing events in 50 store locations in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, with plans to expand to more than 145 stores throughout the year. In addition to planned event services, Interactions will also collaborate with Hy-Vee to develop additional experiential marketing activities, such as new store openings, community events and Hy-Vee branded programs.

London – Leading U.K. supermarket chain Tesco plc is reportedly considering laying off as many as 10,000 employees in response to poor profit performance. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Tesco may lay off up to 6,000 employees from its head office and 43 stores the retailer already announced it will close, and eliminate the rest by streamlining operations.

Jobs eliminated by streamlining would include executive positions. In January, Tesco said it would shutter 43 stores with as many as 2,000 resulting layoffs.
 

Bellevue, Wash. -- Whole Foods Market announced its plans for continued expansion in Western Canada with three new locations: Greater Victoria, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; and Calgary, Alberta.