Supermarket/Grocery

Plano, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Plano, Texas, at Preston Park Village to Toni & Guy.

The hair, skin and nail salon will open a 1,690-sq.-ft. location in January 2011.

The 239,333-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 53,118-sq.-ft. Tom Thumb alongside national retailers Panera Bread, Williams Sonoma, Ann Taylor and The UPS Store.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Jacksonville at Johns Creek Center to Tony’s New York Style Pizza.

The local pizzeria will open a 1,600-sq.-ft. restaurant in March 2011, and brings the center to 93% leased.

The 75,100-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Publix alongside Great Clips, H&R Block and Bank of America.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids-based Spartan Stores has announced the introduction of its new Michigan-made Indulgent Creations premium ice cream. Four Indulgent Creations will be available year round through Spartan Stores D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen's Market, and VG's Stores, as well as through nearly 400 independent stores in Michigan and Northern Indiana selling Spartan Stores brand products.  The four core flavors include: Double Vanilla, Toasted Butter Pecan, Mint Chip, and Double Dark Chocolate.  

AUSTIN, Texas - Whole Foods Market announced that it is offering free overseas shipping of its holiday gift boxes to APO, FPO and DPO addresses.

Available only at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/giftbox, Whole Foods Market offers five different gift boxes that range from $40 to $60 each. 

By Mike Humphreys, [email protected]

Montvale, N.J. - The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. on Sunday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it struggles with enormous debt and increased competition from low-priced peers.

The 151-year-old company operates 395 stores around the Northeast under several banners, including A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Fresh, Pathmark and Food Basics.

Bentonville, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is closing its Moscow office but said it is still interested in the Russian market.

The retailer said Monday that it has been looking to enter the Russian market through an acquisition, but has not found a near-term opportunity so it does not need the Moscow office at this time.

CINCINNATI - Just two weeks after announcing the exit of it's SVP retail operations, Kroger announced a replacement.

Geoffrey Covert, a seasoned Kroger executive, will become SVP retail operations, effective Jan. 1. He will be responsible for leading the company's programs and processes focused on operating efficiency, store productivity, and associate and customer safety., Kroger said. Prior to this position, Covert served as president of the company's Cincinnati/Dayton division for the past six years.

MINNEAPOLIS - Supervalu named Sherry Smith EVP and CFO. Smith had been the company’s interim CFO. She immediately assumes her new role and will directly report to Craig Herkert, CEO and president.

MINNEAPOLIS - Supervalu announced that it has entered into a stock purchase agreement for the sale of Total Logistic Control (TLC), a wholly owned subsidiary that provides logistics and supply chain management solutions to manage distribution, warehousing and transportation operations for leading food, beverage and consumer packaged goods companies. Subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the sale is expected to close on Dec. 31.