Supermarket/Grocery

Northeastern Exposure
Packed and bursting with opportunities
Ground-up projects are hard to come by here, but shopping center innovation and new retailers are not
Density and diversity. The two D’s. That, in short, is what sums up the Northeast market for retailers. It’s the place where chains with national expansion plans or new formats to test need to be.
Target Exercises Flexibility
Target Corp. is thinking out of the box in urban and other select areas.
The retailer’s flexible format store is designed to allow it to open in locations — ranging from downtown areas to college neighborhoods — that can’t accommodate a big-box footprint. The stores, which also serve as convenient pick-up destinations for online orders, run the gamut in size depending on their location. But most seem to average from about 20,000 to 40,000 sq. ft. The smallest, at 12,000 sq. ft., is in Berkely, Calif.

Lowes Foods remains ‘targeted’

Lowes Foods knows the key to success is retaining your best, most profitable shoppers. By extending its partnership with ProLogic, the engine behind the grocer’s Fresh Rewards loyalty program, the chain will continue to award customers with instant rewards for merchandise throughout its 100 stores, and gas at participating Speedway and Lowes Foods gas stations.
Regional grocer deploys mobile emergency communications system

H-E-B is taking steps to keep its employees, customers and food supply safe. The supermarket retailer is modernizing its emergency communications with a software platform from AlertMedia that combines multichannel, two-way messaging and 24/7 monitoring services. The infrastructure consolidates communication channels – such as voice, text, e-mail, social media, and Slack – enabling users to interact with its audience from any mobile device.
Amazon kicks up private-label food offering

Making an even bigger push into private-label foods, Amazon launched a new line of natural snacks. Already a player in non-food private label categories, including household goods and other items under the Amazon Basics and Amazon Elements brands, Amazon’s newest line, Wickedly Prime, is making a push into grocery — specifically among “foodies.” The line currently features popcorn, blue corn and sweet potato tortilla chips, and soft shell almonds.
Concerns raised over Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops deal

Federal regulators have raised questions over Bass Pro Shops' $4.5 billion deal to acquire Cabela's Inc. In a regulatory filing Friday, Cabela's said the Federal Trade Commission had requested additional information from both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, according to Foxnews.com.
Grocery retailer gets EPA Platinum certified

New Seasons Market in Mercer Island, Washington, has gone platinum. The new supermarket received EPA GreenChill Platinum Certification for its efforts in reducing refrigerant emissions (by at least 95%). The 37,000-sq.-ft. store uses a natural refrigerant solution designed for minimal greenhouse gas emissions and superior energy efficiency.
Top 10 Retail Stories of 2016

From start to finish, many of this year’s biggest retail stories involved mergers and acquisitions as the industry continues to remake itself in a digital age. Here’s a look back at 10 stories that caused big buzz — and were the most viewed by readers on Chainstoreage.com.
Whole Foods Market hit with class-action suit over employee bonuses

One current and one former employee of Whole Foods Market have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the grocer.
BJ’s online ordering gets ‘fresh’

Just in time for holiday entertaining, BJ’s Wholesale Club members can now place deli and bakery orders online. The service, which augments BJ’s e-commerce program, enables members to place orders for deli platters, sandwiches and 3-ft. subs, freshly baked cookies, pastries and customizable cakes and cupcakes. All merchandise is provided by Wellsley Farms, according to the retailer’s website.
Urban influx, urban infill, and urban migration

Across the United States, cities have been experiencing a development resurgence. Legions of Americans are departing suburbia and returning to urban environments, with millennials leading the migration. Young adults are abandoning the suburban subdivisions they grew up in for denser, more vibrant urban settings. Consequently, once-empty lots, city blocks, and otherwise underutilized properties are being replaced with multi-use buildings that can accommodate new residences, office space, and retail.
Retailers and their customers benefit from a robust enterprise network

Holiday shopping is no longer what it used to be. The rise of online shopping and mobile has transformed the way in which consumers purchase gifts. It is no longer black and white for retailers either, as cutting-edge platform and technology adoption is a pre-requisite in order to remain competitive. And all factors are causing new challenges related to managing and supporting back-office and customer-facing systems, as well as meeting evolving customer expectations.