Supermarket/Grocery

Food Lion continues to roll out its updated store design to new markets.    The chain announced a $178 million investment in its stores in the greater Greensboro, N.C., market, which includes remodeling 93 stores. The remodels,  part of Food Lion’s "Easy, Fresh and Affordable...You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day!" initiative, include a new design that is easier to navigate and shop so customers can get in and out of the store quickly, new registers and enhanced service.   

Macy’s has sold a fee-simple ground lease underlying The Shops on Lake Avenue in Pasadena that is shadow-anchored by one of its active stores. The sale to a private investor from San Diego was handled by Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors.   The ground lease does not include the Macy’s store, but does take in tenants including T.J.Maxx, Trader Joe’s, Ross Dress for Less, Williams-Sonoma, Talbot’s Jos. A Bank, and Orvis.  

Regency Centers has promoted 14-year veteran Michael Mas to managing director of finance. In this role, he will oversee capital markets, co-investment partnerships, investor/lender relations, underwriting, and due diligence of new investments and information technology.   Mas was senior VP of capital markets prior to the promotion and earlier directed financial and operational aspects of joint ventures for the Jacksonville-based owner, operator, and developer of grocery-anchored centers.  

Raley’s has given COO Keith Knopf the additional title of president.   Raleys owner & CEO, Michael Teel announced the promotion of Knopf, who joined the company nearly two years ago, around the time Teel took majority ownership of the company. Teel will continue to direct the development of Raley’s overall strategic plan.  

Walmart’s house brands are getting a new audience — millennials.   Jet.com, which caters to the cost-conscious Gen Y segment, has started offering private label brands — Great Value, Equate and Sam’s Choice — from its parent company, Walmart, according to Bloomberg.   

Amazon has again raised the stakes in the home shipping war.   Almost a year after raising its free shipping minimum for non-Prime customers from $35 to $50, Amazon subtly announced on its website that it is once again honoring free shipping on orders of $35.  

Restaurants are the current darlings of the shopping center developers. It was reported last year that Americans spent more money at bars and restaurants (a total of nearly $55 billion) than they did on groceries. In case you were wondering how big a deal that is, consider this: It was the first time in recorded history that that was the case. But that’s not the only reason that shopping center owners are mad for restaurants. They are also hubs of social activity that contribute to that all-important and often elusive experiential energy.  

Nordstrom Rack announced it would open its first Baltimore store at The Shops at Canton Crossing in spring 2019. It will be part of the center’s 90,000-sq.-ft. Phase II addition, which is expected to begin construction in November.  

While Lidl has made clear its plans to expand to the U.S., many grocery retailers may not have expected it to make its stateside debut quite so soon. Recent reports that the chain will open its first stores on U.S. soil this summer, ahead of schedule, mean that the pressure is on for domestic grocery chains to determine how to react to their latest challenger.  

When it comes to shopping for groceries, millennials are apparently no fan of supermarkets.   Nearly two-thirds of millennials shop online weekly for groceries, and this demographic has the potential to transform the retail grocery business, according to new research released by Clavis Insight.