Large Chains

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands — Dutch retailer Ahold reported that sales at its U.S. operations rose 4.3% to $6.1 billion during the fourth quarter, thanks to efforts to keep stores open during Hurricane Sandy.

Identical-store sales for U.S. stores rose 2.4%, and comparable-store sales were up 2.8% during the fourth quarter.

Net sales at U.S. stores for the year increased 3.1% to $25.8 billion. Idents rose 1.4% for the year, while comps were up 1.9%, 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The retired head of Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee took home the top honor at a recent supermarket industry conference.

The Food Marketing Institute said Monday that it gave its most prestigious honor — the Sidney R. Rabb Award for excellence in serving the consumer, the community and the industry — to retired Hy-Vee chairman and CEO Ric Jurgens at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

Orlando, Fla. -- Architects Cuhaci & Peterson said Monday they have completed a new design for Publix Supermarket, unveiled at its new store in the Lake Nona Plaza in Southeast Orlando, Fla.   

Total square footage for the supermarket is 54,000 sq. ft., and there is another 23,000 sq. ft. ready for build-out that will eventually accommodate retail shops at the center.

Amsterdam -- Ahold reported Friday that sales for the fourth quarter rose 7.5% to $10.4 billion, boosted largely by its ability to keep U.S. stores open during Hurricane Sandy, said the company. Same-store sales advanced 2.8%.

Its U.S. business includes the Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle supermarket banners and the Peapod online grocery service. Ahold posted fourth quarter sales of $6.1 billion in the U.S., marking a 4.3% rise over the year-ago period.

For the full fiscal year, sales increased 8.5% to $43.6 billion.

Carlisle, Pa. — Ahold banner Giant Food Stores is opening a cheese and specialty food store in central Pennsylvania, the supermarket chain said.

Giant — also known as Giant-Carlisle to distinguish it from fellow Ahold chain Giant Foods of Landover, Md. — said it had a deal with Philadelphia-based Di Bruno Bros. to open the store inside the Giant Super Food Store in Camp Hill, Pa. The new store-within-a-store will open on Jan. 24.

Covington, La. -- Stirling Properties said Tuesday it plans to develop a full-service Walgreens drug store in Terrytown, La., on the Westbank of New Orleans.

The proposed Walgreens, which will be a relocation of an existing nearby store, will be located on the site of a former A&P Grocery/Eckerd Drug-anchored shopping center.  

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer said Tuesday it has named J.K. Symancyk president of the company, effective Feb. 3. Symancyk was named COO of Meijer last year.

“I am pleased to introduce J. K. as our next company president," said Hank Meijer, co-chairman and CEO. "J. K. has been a key member of our leadership team, including most recently as our COO, and he has played an important role in the growth and success of Meijer since joining us in 2006."

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer has appointed J. K. Symancyk as president, just one year after he was named COO for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer.

Meijer, a pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, operates 199 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

The head of Walmart’s Chilean operation will assume responsibility for all of Latin America following the retirement of current president and CEO Eduardo Solorzano.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced that Enrique Ostale, president and CEO of Walmart Chile, formerly D&S, has been named EVP, president and CEO of Walmart Latin America, where he will oversee Walmart's operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.