Supermarket/Grocery

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute have launched a new consumer education campaign around the front-of-pack nutrition labeling system launched in January by the food and beverage industry.

The Facts Up Front consumer education campaign will launch in early 2012, as consumers will see the new icons on a majority of products in the marketplace, the associations announced. The campaign will also be supported by a new website, www.factsupfront.org.

In the December 2007 issue of Chain Store Age, I wrote about an historic structure on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, long-occupied by House of Bultman Funeral Home that was undergoing an extensive redevelopment to accommodate the first Borders bookstore in Orleans Parish.

Orlando, Fla. -- Crossman & Co. said Friday it has negotiated three lease agreements totaling 4,955 sq. ft. at shopping centers in Largo and Marco Island, Fla.

Sage’s West Bay Bistro leased 2,023 sq. ft. for five years at Pinellas Shopping Center, in Largo. At the West Bay Village Town Centre, in Largo, La Chic salon and spa leased 1,632 sq. ft. for three years. And, Harrison negotiated a new lease at the Shops of Marco, in Marco Island, along with Sapphire Dry Cleaners for 1,300 sq. ft.
 

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has become a member of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Million Dollar Club.

According to Kroger, membership into the USHCC Million Dollar Club, is awarded to corporations who have spent between $25 million to over $500 million with Hispanic suppliers, in the previous year.

This is Kroger's second consecutive year of qualifying for membership. The company was inducted in the $250 to $500 million annual expenditure category.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- A Friday report by Wall Street Journal said that Sears Holdings Corp. is in an active push to lease surplus space to other retailers. Its real estate division has listed on its website some 4,000 of its namesake and Kmart stores that have space for other merchants or retail operations to lease.

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Dan Meyer has been promoted to the position of senior VP, retail operations of Stater Bros. Markets. A new position in the company, Meyer will be responsible for the retail operations of Stater Bros.’ 167 supermarkets as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Corporate Training Center. 

Meyer, who joined Stater Bros. in 1971, most recently served as  senior regional VP.

Columbia, S.C. -- Shopping center owner Edens & Avant said Wednesday that an expanded new Publix will open Sept. 2012 at Sunshine Square retail center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

The centerpiece of the multi-million dollar redevelopment, the new 54,000-sq.-ft. Publix will be more integrated into the overall center, one aspect of a larger plan to improve shopper circulation that also includes enhanced vehicular and pedestrian access.

The existing Publix store is scheduled to close Sept. 24.

New Orleans -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties announced that The Fresh Market is coming to New Orleans. The retailer will lease the 24,000 sq.-ft., two-story building on St. Charles Avenue, in the city’s Garden District, which was previously occupied by Borders. 

This location will be The Fresh Market’s fourth in Louisiana with stores already in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Mandeville.