Large Chains

Daqing, China -- QKL Stores said Monday that it opened a new hypermarket store, its 51st, in Hailin County, Heilongjiang Province, on April 15.

The new store by Northeast China’s leading regional supermarket chain is approximately 7,300 sq. meters and is located in a small shopping center in a newly developed residential area which can serve over 80,000 potential customers.

CARLISLE, Pa. — A health-and-wellness conference that brings together retail dietitians and nutritionists has tapped Ahold USA and its Giant Carlisle division as the event's retail host.

Field Trip Factory's third annual Dietitian Summit, which strives to generate awareness about the food industry's commitment to consumer health, will be held next month at a Giant Super Food store in Willow Grove, Pa. About 40 retail dietitians and nutritionists are expected to attend the three-day conference.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway announced that it has been named the most sustainable national U.S. grocer for seafood by Greenpeace. Greenpeace's retailer scorecard ranks the top 20 grocery retailers on the sustainability of their seafood practices.

The "Carting Away the Oceans" report and scorecard, released on April 11, rates retailers' existing seafood policies, initiatives, product labeling/dissemination of information about products, and practices surrounding the sale of certain unsustainable or "red list" species.

MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P continues to implement its turnaround strategy with the announcement that it is filing a motion seeking court approval of bidding procedures to market and sell 25 Superfresh stores in two Southern states and the District of Columbia.

A&P, which filed for bankruptcy in December 2010, earlier this year revealed plans to shutter 32 stores in six states and bolstered its merchandising and marketing team with the appointment of six new executives.

Salisbury, N.C. -- Bottom Dollar, a division of Delhaize American, has entered the Philadelphia market, opening a 17,000 sq.-ft. store.

“While we have opened 18 stores in the greater metropolitan area, this is our first store in the heart of Philadelphia, and we are truly ecstatic,” said Meg Ham, president, Bottom Dollar Food, said in a statement.

Paris -- French retail giant Carrefour SA reported Thursday that sales in its fiscal first quarter inched up 3.9% to $35.7 billion.

Stronger showings in Brazil and China helped the retailer counteract weaker performance in Western Europe.

Carrefour's sales figures come ahead of a key shareholder vote in June on the company's plans to spin off its discount chain Dia and some European property assets into separately listed companies.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 26 slipped 2% to $95 million, compared with $97 million in the year-ago period, but results still beat Wall Street expectations.

Performance was impacted by softer sales, which dropped 6% to $8.66 billion, missing Wall Street's estimate of $8.73 billion. Same-store sales fell 5%.

Supervalu, which operates Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and Save-A-Lot chains, launched a turnaround plan more than a year ago.

Irving, Texas -- SAF U.S.A. announced that Delhaize America, the primary subsidiary of Delhaize Group, has selected SAF RetailSuite Store to support its in-stock conditions and align its inventory with consumer demand.

Delhaize America, which operates under the banners Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys, Hannaford and Sweetbay, will implement the solution in its 1,500 stores across 16 states.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A provider of retailer supplier education services has named a 31-year Walmart veteran as its president and CEO.

8th & Walton said Mike Cockrell, who most recently served as chief merchandising officer of Walmart's Indian joint venture with Bharti before his retirement in February, would lead the company's efforts to accelerate growth initiatives while enhancing existing services.

Palm Springs, Calif. -- Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Donahue Schriber announced that five new restaurants will be opening at is Smoke Tree Village shopping center, located in Palm Springs, Calif.

The Ralphs Fresh Fare-anchored shopping center will now feature Twisted Bistro, Giuseppe’s Pizza and Pasta, Teriyaki Yogi, Pho 533 and Hedi’s Café Paris.

The 89,810-sq.-ft. Smoke Tree Village is owned by Donahue Schriber.