Supermarket/Grocery

Some of the biggest names in retailing and foodservice used experiences to encourage a high percentage buyers to visit at least once last year.   Specifically, Walmart, McDonald’s and Target had more than five out of six U.S. consumers shopping with them in 2016, according to “The Checkout Penetration Index,” from The NPD Group’s Checkout Tracking.   

With Congress in recess this week, legislators can finally take a break from the grind of D.C. politics – fighting with the other party, fighting with their own party, and of course, the spotlight of a relentless national media. But in a lot of cases, members may have it better in D.C. than back home.   

Regency Center has announced the start of a ground-up addition to a center in an affluent section of Miami.   The nation’s largest retail REIT will add 70,000 sq. ft. of retail to an existing 173,000-sq.-ft. Target on US- 1 to create the new center, called Pinecrest place. The bulk of the addition will be occupied by a 46,000-sq.-ft. Whole Foods Market.   Construction is expected to be completed in second quarter 2018.  

Omega Sports has a new owner.    The Greensboro, North Carolina-based sporting goods retailer has been acquired by Craig and Kristin Carlock. Effective immediately, Craig Carlock, former CEO of specialty grocer The Fresh Market, is Omega’s new CEO.  

Academy Sports + Outdoors is bolstering its executive team.   The sporting good chain appointed Sam Johnson as its executive VP of retail operations, effective April 24. In his new role, Johnson will oversee the day-to-day operations of Academy's more than 225 stores, as well as lead the store support team.  

Riverpoint Center, a 211,000-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored center in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, has been acquired by Federal Realty Investment Trust for $107 million.   Mid-America Rea Estate brokered the sales of the center, which is anchored by Jewel-Osco, Marshalls, and Old Navy. The name of the seller was not disclosed.   Riverpoint Center is located at the northwest corner of West Fullerton and North Clybourn Avenues in Lincoln Park, an affluent neighborhood on the lakefront north of downtown.

Amazon is gaining a significantly larger share-of-wallet for everyday household items — and the retailer continues to build momentum.  

Panera Bread has been acquired by a European firm with a growing U.S. presence.     The fast-casual bakery/café brand has agreed to be acquired by JAB Holding Company, the investment arm of the Reimanns of Germany, for $7.5 billion, including the assumption of about $340 million in debt.    JAB’s U.S. holdings include Krispy Kreme Caribou Coffee, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc., Peet's Coffee & Tea, and Keurig Green Mountain.