Large Chains

New York -- There’s a reason why shoppers love Wegman’s. A Valentine’s Day promotion spotted Friday, in a Buffalo-area store, featuring twin ribeye steaks, packaged ready-for-the-flame in a disposable, heart-shaped broiler pan is one small example as to why.
 

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market's value message is resonating with shoppers as the chain delivered same store sales growth of 4.5% and record first quarter profits as net income increased to $167 million from $158 million.

The retailer said sales for its first quarter ended Jan. 18 increased 10% to $4.67 billion due to the addition of new selling space and the increased productivity of existing stores reflected in the 4.5% comp increase, which pushed sales per square foot to $990.

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.

Washington, D.C. -- The JCR Companies has acquired Manokeek Village Shopping Center in Accokeek, Maryland, just 10 minutes from the Washington, D.C. Beltway, for $22 million. The seller was Klaff Realty.

The 90,172-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored shopping center is located at the intersection of Manny and Berry Roads in Prince George’s County.

Anchored by Giant Food, Manokeek Village is more than 90% leased to a lineup of retailers including Starbucks, Wendy’s Advance Auto, SunTrust Bank, and 7-Eleven.

Whole Foods Market's value message is resonating with shoppers as America’s favorite natural grocer delivered same store sales growth of 4.5% and record first quarter profits.

Whole Foods said sales for its first quarter ended Jan. 18 increased 10% to $4.7 billion due to the addition of new selling space and the increased productivity of existing stores reflected in the 4.5% comp increase, which pushed sales per square foot to $990.

Spokane, Wash. -- Ecova, a total energy and sustainability management company, has been selected by Milwaukee-based Roundy’s Supermarkets to provide utility expense and data management solutions, as well as carbon management solutions and Energy Star benchmarking.

Costco’s same store sales flat-lined in January, disappointing many analysts who had expected a 1.2% increase.  

Berkeley, Calif. -- Donahue Schriber Realty Group acquired Gilman Village on January 30, marking the Costa Mesa, California-based company’s second Bay Area acquisition in the past month.

Besides the Gilman Village acquisition in Berkeley, California, Donahue Schriber purchased Village Oaks shopping center, a 320,000-sq.-ft. property anchored by Target and Safeway located in San Jose, California.

Wegmans is looking to bolster its reputation as one of the nation’s best food retailers with a promotion that will see the retail sell massive quantities of shrimp.

Boise, Idaho - Albertsons LLC and Safeway Inc. have completed their proposed merger, ending a nearly year-long process that began in March 2014. AB Acquisition LLC, the owner of Albertson's and New Albertson's, Inc., will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway.

The merger will create a diversified network that includes 2,230 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants with more than 250,000 employees across 34 states and the District of Columbia.