Large Chains

New York -- Supervalu Inc. is cutting 700 positions at its Shaw’s and Star Market divisions in New England.

The company said Friday that the job cuts will take place in 169 Shaw's and Star Market stores.

Matthews, N.C. -- Harris Teeter Supermarkets reported Friday a profit of $22.8 million in its fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $8.9 million last year.

Sales edged up 3.7% to $1.14 billion, and same-store sales increased 3.01%.

The grocer has introduced a new format and banner – 201central – that it is using as a platform to sell a global variety of wine, beer, specialty foods and other selected merchandise.

Plans for fiscal 2013 include 12 new stores and nine major remodels.

West Milford, N.J. -- Inserra Supermarkets has been granted final site plan approval for the renovation and expansion of West Milford Shopping Center, which includes a 65,925-sq.-ft. ShopRite.

The 100,000+-sq.-ft. retail center’s tenant roster includes Wells Fargo Bank, Rite Aid, Frank’s Pizza and Just a Buck, and adjoins a free-standing McDonald’s restaurant.

Covington, La. -- Stirling Properties announced that Sam’s Club has opened at its River Chase shopping center, the largest open-air retail center in St. Tammany Parish.

The 136,000-sq.-ft. Sam’s Club features a fuel station and pharmacy, and joins anchors Target, Belk and J.C. Penney at the master-planned, mixed-use development.

London -- Barnes & Noble said Monday that its subsidiary Nook Media will partner with U.K.’s largest supermarket chain Asda to sell the Nook reader in 300 Asda stores across the U.K.

Barnes & Noble said it plans to expand the expected number of U.K. retail outlets to over 2,500 and include various online retail platforms as well. Terms of its deal with Asda weren’t disclosed.

Sunbury, Pa. -- Weis Markets Inc. reported Friday that net income for the third quarter increased 1.2% to $17.2 million.

Sales for the period dipped 1.5% to $668.4 million and same-store stores decreased 1.7%.

Weis Markets operates 162 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market said Friday it will acquire six leases from Johnnie's Foodmaster, a family-owned grocery chain based in Chelsea, Mass. The transaction is expected to close Nov. 30.

Johnnie's Foodmaster will close all six locations prior to the closing date, but Whole Foods said it has guaranteed interviews to all Johnnie's Foodmaster employees at the six acquired locations with the goal of hiring as many as possible.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. announced Marnette Perry has been named SVP, strategic initiatives and operations, and Michael Ellis has been named SVP, retail divisions. The appointments support Kroger's long-term growth plans announced last week.

Perry recently led the team responsible for Kroger's "faster checkout" rollout, which the chain said has reduced customer wait times at checkout from an average of four minutes to 30 seconds.

New York -- Multiple reports on Monday suggested that private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, which owns the struggling Albertsons LLC, may be putting together a deal to buy all or part of the grocery chain.

Cerberus is said to be seeking $4 billion to $5 billion in debt financing from banks to back a bid and is looking at investing $800 to $900 in equity in its takeover quest, a person familiar with the matter is reported to have said. That same source cautioned that the figures could change.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Fameco Real Estate said that Party City and VisionWorks have signed leases at Upland Square, located in West Pottsgrove, Pa.
 
Party City has signed a lease for 9,000 sq. ft. and VisionWorks has signed a lease for 3,825 sq. ft. These retailers will join anchors Target, Giant, Best Buy, LA Fitness, TJ Maxx and Bed, Bath & Beyond at the 600,000-sq.-ft. power center.