Supermarket/Grocery

New York -- Retail sales fell 0.8% in January, more than forecast, amid smaller receipts at gas stations due to plummeting fuel costs and declines at apparel and sporting goods stores, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. It was the second straight month of decline, suggesting consumers still remain cautious when it comes to spending. Sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services edged up 0.1%, also less than forecast, after being flat in December.

Gambrills, Md. -- Greenberg Gibbons announced that SAS is opening a new 2,596-sq.-ft. shoe store at The Village at Waugh Chapel, a mixed-use development in Gambrills, Maryland.

The new store is expected to open in March 2015, located next to Coldstone Creamery and Fuji Modern Asian Cuisine & Sushi Lounge. It joins Safeway, Chipotle, LA Fitness, Marshalls, Homegoods and more.

Washington, D.C. -- Retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2015, up from 3.5% in 2014, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 economic forecast. The increase would mark the biggest annual growth since 2011 when retail sales for the year increased 5.1%. Non-store sales in 2015 are expected to grow between 7% and 10%.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Crescent Communities has unveiled plans for a mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will bring Uptown Charlotte its first Whole Foods Market. The company’s plans for the 5.4-acre site at the Lynx Light Rail’s Stonewall Station, in Charlotte, North Carolina, define a new model of urban living for the area and complement its Tryon Place mixed-use development to redefine the city’s Stonewall corridor.

New York -- Whole Foods Market has set itself an ambitious agenda for 2015 with 38 to 42 new store openings, including relocations, for annual square footage growth of 9% to 10%. The company, which currently has 408 stores, remains committed to tripling its U.S. store count to 1,200 locations over the long term.

Bentonville, Ark. – Phoenix area consumers have a new option for online grocery shopping, at least for now. According to the Phoenix Business Journal, Wal-Mart is piloting an online grocery service in and around Phoenix.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners has named Kevin Boyd as senior VP and co-market leader in the Chicago office. Experienced with local, regional, and national retailers, he will focus on tenant representation while jointly leading the Chicago team.

Mississauga, Canada – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly expanding its Canadian operation, even as chief rival Target is exiting the country after spending $4 billion in an effort to open stores there. According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart plans to spend $270 million on building 29 new Canadian supercenters and an expanded distribution network to support them.