Supermarket/Grocery

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Natural Grocers will hit a major milestone in its store network next month. The specialty supermarket chain will open its fifth store in Arizona on Aug. 11 -- making it the company's 100th store nationwide.

The Scottsdale location is one of 18 Natural Grocers stores expected to open in fiscal year 2015.
 

Boise, Idaho – Albertsons Companies Inc., which became the second-largest grocery retailer in the United States after purchasing Safeway in January, is planning to return to public ownership with a major stock offering that has implications for trading partners and competitors.

Nashville, Tenn. -- IHL Group has added a noted retail technology analyst with nearly 30 years of experience to its ranks.

Jeff Roster is joining IHL in the new position of VP of retail strategy. He will oversee IHL's retailer engagement, vendor briefings and strategic IT services practice.

Albertsons completed its acquisition of Safeway earlier this year to create a $57.5 billion company that now plans to return to public ownership with a major stock offering with implications for trading partners and competitors.

West Coast regional grocer Haggen Food and Pharmacy has a new omnichannel partner to help drive growth.

The retailer has selected Unata to help implement customer loyalty and other initiatives to allow for more personalized marketing across Haggen’s channels including online, mobile and in-store.

 As grocery shoppers’ lives keep getting busier, Ahold’s online grocery delivery service Peapod keeps trying to make shopping easier.

Whole Foods Market is partnering with PBS to offer an exclusive new line of back-to-school products.

Photo: Central Valley Marketplace, Ceres, California

Dallas -- X Team International announced that partner Venture Commercial Real Estate completed three retail anchor leases for landlords and tenants, totaling 110,000 sq. ft. across Texas.

Walmart signed a ground lease to build a 42,000-sq.-ft. Walmart Neighborhood Market store at the site of a former Brookshire Brothers at 1030 N. University Drive in Nacogdoches.

Hobby Lobby signed a lease to open a 50,200-sq.-ft. store at 2200 S. Loop 256 in Palestine.

Auburn, Ala. -- Merchants Retail Partners recently led the acquisition of Flint’s Crossing in Auburn, Alabama, on behalf of its related investment partner. The 100,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by gourmet grocer EarthFare and Panera Bread.