Large Chains

St. Paul, Minn. -- A partnership between St. Paul, Minn.-based Paster Enterprises and Chicago-based Shiner Capital Partners announced the purchase of Cahill Plaza, located in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Cahill Plaza is a 69,000-sq.-ft. shopping center that is anchored by a 52,017-sq.-ft. Cub Foods and a 6,165-sq.-ft. MGM Liquor. Additional tenants include Great Clips, RR Cleaners, C & A Nails, Edward Jones and Papa Johns.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores is making progress bringing items and shoppers back to its U.S. stores, president and CEO Mike Duke said Tuesday at the Barclays Capital analyst conference in New York City. 

Duke noted that improving the chain’s U.S. same-store sales remains its top priority. He said the chain is on its way to having the right assortment.

New York City -- Tesco announced that it has acquired a majority stake in video-on-demand pioneer Blinkbox. The acquisition positions Tesco for the next stage in the Internet-driven revolution in home entertainment, the retailer said.

Blinkbox is the United Kingdom’s leading movie streaming service, offering thousands of titles streamed on the Internet.

Tesco has bought an 80% stake in Blinkbox from Eden Ventures and Nordic Venture Partners.

New York City -- Members of the largest union local representing Southern California grocery workers gave their negotiators the power to call for a strike if contract talks with major supermarket chains break down, it was announced Thursday. Results for the other locals were not immediately available.

Passage of the strike authorization would not necessarily mean a strike is imminent. Contract talks that began in February are set to resume next week with negotiators for The Vons Cos. Ralphs Grocery Co., a subsidiary of The Kroger Co.; and Albertsons.

New York City -- More than 60,000 Southern California grocery workers cast their votes on Wednesday whether to authorize a strike if contract talks with three of the nation's largest supermarket chains break down. A two-thirds majority vote was needed for passage.

The talks are with The Vons Cos.; Ralphs Grocery Co., a subsidiary of The Kroger Co.; and Albertsons, owned by Supervalu.

New York City -- Tesco PLC said Tuesday that its profit rose 14% to $4.3 billion in its most recent fiscal year ending Feb.26, while annual group sales increased 8% to almost $106 billion. However, losses continued to mount at its U.S. division, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, which lost about $302.6 million. The division, which opened its first stores in 2007, now has 172 locations. It has yet to post a profit.

Tesco remains committed to Fresh & Easy, and said it is ramping up expansion, with about 50 stores on tap for this year.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Monday released its "2011 Global Responsibility Report." According to the report, the chain has made steady year-to-year improvement towards its goals of creating zero waste, using 100% renewable energy and selling products that sustain people and the environment.

Arlington, Va. -- The Food Marketing Institute said Tuesday that it has appointed Robert Rosado as director of government relations.

According to FMI, Rosado will focus on legislation that impacts supermarkets in the areas of food safety, health care, food deserts and the 2012 Farm Bill.

LOS ANGELES — Two Kroger banners have raised funds to benefit Japan earthquake and tsunami victims.

Ralphs and Food 4 Less said they raised more than $100,000 for the American Red Cross' International Response Fund for its Japan relief efforts. The retailers hosted a fundraising campaign that ran from March 21 through April 9.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- In recognition of Earth Day, Publix Super Markets announced that it will donate 50 cents per lb., (up to $40,000), to Sustainable Fisheries Partnership when customers purchase any wild domestic shrimp between April 17 to 27.

According to the company, the Publix donation would assist SFP in providing fisheries along the Gulf with the resources and tools needed to operate in a more sustainable manner.