Supermarket/Grocery

Toronto -- Katz Group Canada has announced the retirement of industry veteran Andy Giancamilli as CEO, effective Feb. 2, 2012.  Katz is Canada’s largest integrated pharmacy network, operating more than 1,800 chain, franchise and independent pharmacies,

Giancamilli will remain in an advisory role until May 2012. He will be succeeded by Frank Scorpiniti, who joined the company in April as COO.

Giancamilli came to Katz after serving as executive VP at Canadian Tire. Prior to that, he was president and COO of Kmart.
 

Los Angeles -- The union representing many of the 62,000 workers at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons supermarkets in Southern California has issued a required 72-hour notice of its plan to cancel its extended contract, Reuters reported. The move that could pave the way for a strike.

TORONTO — Safeway and Wegman’s Food Markets ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

Empathica, a customer experience management solution-provider, polled more than 16,000 consumers, and found that operations and merchandise were the two most important elements in grocery shopping versus other elements such as promotions, people and technology.

Fairhope, Ala. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Fairhope, Ala., to two new tenants.

Fairhope Cosmetic Dentistry leased 2,000 sq. ft. of medical office space and opened in August. Additionally, Roy Rose Jewelry has leased 2,000 sq. ft. of retail space and is slated to open in the middle of September.

The 84,740-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Publix Super Market alongside national retailers such as Merle Norman and Iberia Bank.
 

Rockville, Md. -- Federal Realty Investment Trust announced that Ellwood Thompson’s has finalized a lease to open a local, organic market at Rockville Town Square in Rockville, Md.

The new grocer will operate under the name Dawson’s Market and the store is slated to open spring 2012.

Dawson’s Market at Rockville Town Square will house approximately 15,000 sq. ft. of local and organic produce, meats, cheeses, prepared foods and baked goods.
 

Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Safeway and Wegman’s Food Markets ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

Empathica, a customer experience management solution-provider, polled more than 16,000 consumers, and found that operations and merchandise were the two most important elements in grocery shopping versus other elements such as promotions, people and technology.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. said Thursday that its board of directors has approved a $1 billion share repurchase program.

The new program replaces an existing authorization that has about $213 million remaining. The authorization is expected to be used over the next 12 months, according to Kroger.
 

Springfield, Mass. -- Big Y Supermarkets plans to get rid of self-checkouts in all of its 61 stores by the end of 2011.