Large Chains

Giant Eagle is making a push into Indiana with a Market District concept and GetGo, a convenience store, planned just outside of Indianapolis, according to published reports.

According to reports, it will be the first Giant Eagle store in the state, and additional stores in the metro area might follow.

“We are thrilled to bring our Market District and GetGo concepts to Carmel and greater Indianapolis,” Giant Eagle CEO Laura Karet said in a statement. “We are also actively evaluating opportunities for additional locations.”

Cincinnati – The Kroger Co. has promoted two veteran company executives. Jay Cummins has been named president of the Smith's Food and Drug Stores division and Joe Fey has been named president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division.

Cummins, 62, has been serving as president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division. He succeeds Mark Tuffin, who was named senior VP of retail divisions in December 2013.

San Francisco - Shift Communications is now representing Whole Foods Market as its primary public relations agency in the Northern California region, which includes the San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento, San Jose and Reno.

New York --  Sam’s Club will open two new clubs on Thursday, January 23, one in Warwick, R.I., and another in Mooresville, N.C.

The 136,000-sq.-ft. Warwick club has created 140 new jobs. Also 136,000 sq. ft., the Mooresville club has created 160 new jobs.

Both clubs will feature a variety of members-only amenities, including a fresh bakery, a tire and battery center, a café and a fuel station.

Kroger has named Jay Cummins as president of the Smith's Food and Drug Stores division and Joe Fey as president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division.

Cummins has been serving as president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division. He succeeds Mark Tuffin, who was named SVP retail divisions in December.

New York --- Brookshire Brothers, based in Lufkin, Texas, has entered into an agreement to David's Supermarkets, a 25-store chain based in North Central Texas. Terms were not disclosed.

"We feel like these family-owned stores align with our core value that we are a celebration of family and community," stated Jerry Johnson, president and CEO of Brookshire Brothers. 

Brookshire Brothers operates 123 outlets including grocery stores, convenience stores, free standing pharmacy, tobacco and petro locations.

Cincinnati – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR) with respect to the pending merger transaction between The Kroger Co. and Harris-Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. The early termination of the HSR waiting period satisfies one of the conditions to the closing of the pending merger, which remains subject to other customary closing conditions.

The Federal Trade Commission has granted Kroger and Harris Teeter Supermarkets early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to the pending merger transaction between the two companies.
 
The early termination of the HSR waiting period satisfies one of the conditions to the closing of the pending merger, which remains subject to other customary closing conditions. Both companies expect the transaction to be completed before the end of January.

Stater Bros. Markets, has promoted John Ciraulo to the position of VP of the meat division. He replaces Kevin Schubert, who will retire in March after 39 years of service.  

Ciraulo has been at Stater Bros. for 28 years and has progressed through a range of both retail and marketing positions. In his new position, he will oversee the marketing and retail operations of the company's meat and seafood divisions.

Ciraulo will report to EVP of marketing Dennis McIntyre.

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Cafe rounded out 2013 with a multi-unit restaurant development agreement and plans to open eight new restaurants in the Sacramento area with new franchise partner East Bay Restaurants, Pleasanton, Calif.

East Bay Restaurants, which owns and operates 48 Burger King and seven Taco Bell restaurants, plans to open its first cafe in 2014 and the remaining sites over the next five years.