Large Chains

NEW YORK — Safeway will package $150 million in real healthcare savings into an overall wellness strategy to be implemented over the course of 2013, the grocer's chairman and CEO Steve Burd told analysts Thursday morning at the Goldman Sachs 19th Annual Global Retailing Conference.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. has saved more than 2.34 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, which equals 1.47 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, in 2011, according to the chain’s sixth annual Sustainability Report.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu announced Wednesday it will close about 60 underperforming or nonstrategic stores in fiscal 2012. The closings include 22 Save-A-Lot locations, 27 Albertsons stores, four Acme stores and one previously announced Jewel-Osco.

The majority of the stores are expected to close before Dec. 1, which marks the end of the company’s fiscal 2013 third quarter.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. announced on Wednesday that it plans to take its Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc. gift card and payment services unit public. Blackhawk sells gift cards at supermarkets and through other stores, including drug stores and convenience stores.

Safeway said it plans to file a registration statement for a potential initial public offering of a minority stake in Blackhawk and hopes to complete the IPO sometime in the first half of 2013, depending on market conditions.

MODESTO, Calif. — Save Mart Supermarkets has appointed a new chief human resources officer and chief legal officer, as well as a new CFO.

In the newly-created role of CHRO/CLO at Save Mart, Eric Nadworny is responsible for leading the human resources, labor relations, risk management, compliance and legal functions for the Modesto, Calif.-based grocer. Nadworny has worked at such companies as Ross Stores, BJ's Wholesale Club and Shaw's Supermarkets.

Salisbury, N.C. -- Grocery parent Delhaize said Friday it has named former Wendy’s and Arby’s CEO Roland Smith as president and CEO of Delhaize America and executive VP of Delhaize Group. Smith succeeds retiring CEO Ronald C. Hodge, effective Oct. 15.

Hodge will continue to serve the company in an advisory capacity.

Delhaize America operates supermarkets under the Food Lion, Hannaford and Sweetbay banners.
 

Delray Beach, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Kite Realty Group said that Francesca’s Collections has leased 1,200 sq. ft. at Delray Marketplace, located in Delray Beach, Fla. 

The center will open November 2012 and will be anchored by Publix and Franks Theatre/Imax. The 264,823-sq.-ft. Delray Marketplace is owned by KRG Atlantic Delray Beach, LLC. Other tenants include ROC, White House | Black Market, Apricot Lane, Bobby Chan, Jos. A. Banks, Charming Charlie and Chico’s.

BRUSSELS — Delhaize's U.S. division has a new leader.

The supermarket conglomerate announced that Roland Smith will serve as Delhaize America's president and CEO, as well as EVP of the Delhaize Group, effective Oct. 15. Smith is replacing Ronald Hodge, who will be retiring from his post this year. Hodge will serve in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.

New York -- Whole Foods Market is in talks to buy or take over leases for half a dozen Johnnie’s Foodmaster locations in eastern Massachusetts, the Boston Globe reported.

Whole Foods wants to move into six of the 10 Johnnie’s Foodmaster sites in Arlington, Brookline, Charlestown, Melrose, South Weymouth, and Somerville, the report said.

Whole Foods currently operates 21 stores in Massachusettes.

An 8% same store sales increase is atypical for a food retailer which is why The Fresh Market’s second quarter performance is so noteworthy.