Large Chains

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market reported that its net income rose a better-than-expected 5.8% to $128 million in its fiscal fourth quarter, ended Sept. 28, 2014, from $121 million in the year-ago period.  The company also said it plans to open 38 to 42 stores, including five to six relocations, in fiscal 2015. 

Brussels, Belgium -- Delhaize Group has signed an agreement to sell its Bottom Dollar Food stores to deep-discount grocer Aldi Inc. for approximately $15 million, including the assumption of associated lease liabilities. The transaction, which involves  66 Bottom Dollar stores in the greater Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets, is expected to result in an asset impairment and other charges for Delhaize Group of approximately $180 million.  

Milwaukee –- Roundy’s Inc. swung to a net loss of $249.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from net income of $3.2 million the same quarter a year earlier. A variety of impairment charges, including charges related to closing a distribution center, taxes and disposal of obsolete assets, drove Roundy’s into the red, along with higher operating and administrative expenses.  

The nation’s leading natural and organic grocer proved its doubters wrong with a better than expected fourth quarter earnings report, a rosy outlook for the coming year and dedication to a long-term growth strategy.

ALDI is accelerating its growth and dramatically increasing its presence in the Northeast with the acquisition of 66 Bottom Dollar Food stores from Delhaize Group.

Delhaize said it reached an agreement to sell its 66 Bottom Dollar stores in the greater Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets for $15 million and associated lease liabilities. Delhaize said it would take an asset impairment charge of $180 million in conjunction with the sale.

The Houston suburb of Richmond is home to Sam’s Club’s 80th location in Texas following the opening of a new unit there on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Sam’s Club now operates 20 clubs in the sprawling Houston market and the 80 clubs the retailer operates in Texas account for more than 12% of the 643 Sam’s Clubs in operation nationwide as of September 30.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly reappointing Scott Price as president and CEO of its Asia business. According to Bloomberg, Wal-Mart will let Price, who previously held the position from 2009 until June 2014, work from the retailer’s U.S. headquarters.  

Dallas -- UCR Dallas announced that Cabela’s will make its Houston debut with a new 72,000-sq.-ft. store at Interstate 45 and Big League Dreams Parkway in League City, Texas. Cabela’s will join HEB, Kohl’s and Big League Dreams Sports Park at this development.    The new store is slated to open in fall 2015.   

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's Inc. named Jerry Shore as its next CEO. Shore has served as the company's executive VP and CFO for more than 14 years. He assumed the additional title of COO in Jan. 2014.   Shore's promotion follows follows notification by current CEO Bruce A. Efird of his intention to leave Fred’s upon the expiration of his contract.   

Salisbury, N.C. -- Meg Ham has been named president of Food Lion effective Nov. 1. She succeeds Beth Newlands Campbell, who is leaving the company for personal and professional reasons.     Ham will lead all Food Lion banner operations, including strategic direction, financial performance, product assortment, pricing, customer service and marketing. She will continue to report to Delhaize America CEO Kevin Holt.