Supermarket/Grocery

Albertsons sets goal for cage-free eggs by 2025
Albertsons is joining other major retailers in working with its suppliers toward a goal of sourcing only cage-free eggs for its store operations.

The company, among the first and largest in the conventional retail grocery sector to make such a commitment, is making the move not only as part of its ongoing commitment to animal welfare but also in response to customer buying habits.
Another record-breaking fiscal year for Publix
Publix on Tuesday posted sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 of $8.2 billion, a 4.5% increase. Comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 3.2%.

“I’m pleased to report another year with excellent results,” said CEO Ed Crenshaw. “Our associates deserve the credit for continuing to make us a leader in customer service.”

Publix’ sales for the fiscal year ended Dec. 26, 2015, were $32.4 billion, a 5.9% increase from last year’s $30.6 billion. Comparable-store sales for 2015 increased 4.2%.

Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT makes strategic buys

Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II announced the strategic acquisitions of four grocery-anchored shopping centers in Colorado, Florida and California.
Grocer racks up another impressive year

Publix Super Markets hit a milestone in 2015 as it exceeded the $30 billion mark in annual sales and also racked up another impressive quarter.

The grocer reported that net earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 26, 2015, rose 15% to $521.1 million, from $453.3 million in the year ago period. For the full year, earnings rose some 13%, to $2 billion, compared to $1.7 billion last year.
Aldi drops ban on credit cards

Fast-expanding grocery chain Aldi is making it even easier for consumers to shop its no-frills stores.

The European chain has announced it will now accept credit cards – including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express – at all of its stores across the country.
Report: Sam's Club to overhaul grocery offerings

Sam's Club is building a team of regional U.S. buyers to bring in more local and organic groceries in order to attract wealthier customers and better compete with Costco.

According to Reuters,Sam's Club has hired a handful of buyers in Dallas and is considering putting teams in up to five other markets, John Furner, chief merchandising officer at Sam's Club, told Reuters. Until now, all of its buyers have worked out of company headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Amazon makes a delivery deal with UK grocer

Amazon is about to launch its biggest venture into food outside of the United States.

The online giant will deliver groceries to Amazon Prime Now and Amazon Pantry customers in the United Kingdom under a new wholesale supply deal it has struck with Morrisons, the U.K.’s fourth-largest supermarket chain.

Under the arrangement, Morrisons will supply fresh, frozen and non-perishable goods to Amazon customers, starting later this year.
Ahold Delhaize petitions to add 'Royal' to its moniker post merger

Ahold on Monday announced that the King of the Netherlands has honored its request to use the predicate “Koninklijke” (“Royal”) after its intended merger with Delhaize Group.

Upon completion of the proposed merger, the statutory name of the combined company will be “Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V.”
Whole Foods is rolling out a food truck

Whole Foods Market is launching a new format that aims to cater to the downtown business crowd, only this time there's no bricks-and-mortar involved. The grocery chain is launching a food truck in Austin, Texas, in March, according to the Austin Business Journal. The retailer plans to offer sandwiches and salads at first and likely expand the menu eventually. [Austin Business Journal]
Shoppers love 'healthy living for less' at Sprouts

Perhaps no other retailer is profiting as well from Americans' changing eating habits than Sprouts Farmers Market, which reported record sales and earnings for the fourth quarter.

The Arizona-based grocer said that same store sales during the period ended Jan. 3 rose 7.4%. Net income was $28.2 million and diluted earnings per share were 18 cents. Net sales were $3.59 billion, a 21% increase compared to reported net sales in 2014. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.86, a 19% increase from 2014.
GBT acquires land for new Sprouts Farmers Market location

Dallas -- GBT Realty Corp. announced it has acquired 2.3 acres of the 12-acre retail site at Eldorado and Teel Parkways in Frisco, Texas on Feb. 16 from CMTEX, Inc. for $1.1 million. Sprouts Farmers Market will build its second store in Frisco, Texas on the site. To date, GBT has developed four locations in two states for the healthy grocer that offers fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices.
CBRE arranges sale of White Bear Marketplace

Minneapolis -- CBRE’s Capital Markets Investment Properties Group announced it has arranged the sale of White Bear Marketplace, located in St. Paul Minnesota, on behalf of its client, Oppidan Investment Company. CBRE’s SVP Jim Leary and senior associate Jeff Budish represented Oppidan Investment Company in the transaction.