Large Chains

Supervalu has found a buyer for its discount grocery business, Save-A-Lot.   Supervalu agreed to sell Save-A-Lot to Onex Corporation, a Toronto-based private equity firm, for $1.365 billion in cash. As part of the agreement, Supervalu will provide professional services to Save-A-Lot for five years.     The sale is expected to be completed by January 31, 2017, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.    

Save-A-Lot may be facing a possible spin-off from parent company Supervalu, but the chain is still bullish about its future.    Supervalu is expected to announce the fate of its discount grocery banner next week, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported, with Toronto private equity firm Onex Corp. the leading bidder if Supervalu does pursue a sale. 

Weis Markets has appointed R. Gregory Zeh, Jr. as VP/CIO of the company.    Zeh will oversee Weis’ day-to-day information technology functions, working in support of marketing and merchandising, supply chain and in-store management retail applications.   

MOM’s Organic Market started as a produce delivery company based out of the founder’s mother’s garage and has grown into a 16-store grocery chain.     “We carry much more than Trader Joe’s and less than Whole Foods,” founder Scott Nash told The Washington Post.  

At a time when loyalty programs are becoming ubiquitous, Lowes Foods’ new service is breaking the mold.    The grocery chain is launching a promotional reward campaign in 75 stores across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. For every $10 spent at Lowes Foods stores, customers will receive one stamp — either traditional or virtual — at checkout, good toward VIVO kitchen knives, knife blocks and cutting boards. The promotion runs until February 26, 2017.   

Whole Foods Market is saving money and time — and benefiting the environment—by taking an innovative approach to going solar.

That’s according to an analysis by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and The Solar Foundation that found Whole Foods’ strategy of taking a standardized approach to rapid rollout of solar rooftop installations across multiple locations could be a valuable model for other retailers to consider.

Ahold Delhaize on Wednesday announced that management board member James McCann had resigned to move into non-executive and advisory roles. The company has named Kevin Holt, Delhaize America CEO and Ahold Delhaize management board member, as his successor.   

Wal-Mart Stores and Target Corp. stand at very different junctures, according to new report from Moody's Investors Service.    Walmart is starting to reap more discernible rewards as it adapts more quickly to a rapidly-changing consumer landscape -- and with fewer missteps -- than Target has managed, according to the report, "Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Target Corporation: Walmart Is Gaining Momentum, While Target Is Still Clawing Back Lost Ground."  

Publix Super Markets has promoted Bob McGarrity, director of construction, to VP of facilities.    McGarriity replaces 42-year company veteran Dave Duncan, who has announced his decision to retire effective Dec. 31, 2016.    In other appointments, VP of real estate Jeff Chamberlain will be promoted to senior VP, overseeing real estate and facilities, effective Jan. 1, 2017.  

One of the country’s oldest online grocers just secured a major cash infusion to help it expand its services.   FreshDirect has received a $189 million investment, led by JPMorgan Asset Management, that will be used to launch its grocery delivery service in more cities, to expand new business units and incubate others, reported RECode.