Supermarket/Grocery

Old Bridge, N.J. — The retail vacancy rate along central New Jersey’s major shopping corridors increased to 9.8% this summer, according to R.J. Brunelli & Co.’s 24th annual study of the central New Jersey market.

The disappointing upward spike follows a major decline from a 10-year high of 10.5% to 9.1% between 2011 and 2012. R.J. Brunelli attributed the change to growing closures of smaller ships overcoming progress in re-tenanting big-box spaces larger than 20,000 sq. ft.

San Diego — Brixmor Property Group has leased approximately 45,000 sq. ft. to Smart & Final Extra! at Brixmor’s San Dimas Plaza in San Dimas, Calif. The supermarket/warehouse store will take over the space formerly occupied by Ralphs. NAI Capital represented Smart & Final.

T.J. Maxx anchors the 119,157-sq.-ft. San Dimas Plaza alongside national retailers Rite Aid, Payless ShoeSource, Sprint and RadioShack.

SPARKS, Md. — McCormick is appealing to football fans who enjoy tailgating, and identified the Top 10 Tastiest Tailgate cities in the U.S. to promote its Grill Mates seasoning.

In a joint venture with Bert Sperling, a leading "Best Places" researcher, McCormick Grill Mates analyzed 31 cities in the U.S. with professional football teams to identify the Top 10 in the country.

Hilton Head Island, S.C. — Shelter Cove Towne Centre has signed letters of intent with two new tenants: Heritage Fine Jewelry and Jake’s Wayback Burgers.

A joint venture between Blanchard & Calhoun Commercial and Kroger Real Estate, Shelter Cove is being developed into a destination for Hilton Head residents and the area’s 2.5 million visitors. The project includes plans to redevelop the existing mall into a walking village that will consist of 290,000 sq. ft. of retail space anchored by Kroger and Belk.

Los Angeles -- Grocery chain Fresh & Easy confirmed reports that its British parent Tesco LLC has sold the brand to private equity firm The Yucaipa Cos., following months of uncertainty about the 200+-unit chain’s future.

Fresh & Easy posted on its website Tuesday that more than 4,000 jobs would be saved under the purchase agreement but that some stores will be closing. Specific stores have not been identified, and the terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

BOISE, IDAHO – Albertson’s Supermarkets plans to purchase grocery store and c-store operator the United Family. The transaction’s terms have not been released.

Boise, Idaho – Albertson’s Supermarkets has agreed to purchase grocery store and c-store operator The United Family. Terms of the transaction have not been released.

Los Angeles -- Grocery chain Fresh & Easy confirmed reports that its British parent Tesco LLC has sold the brand to private equity firm The Yucaipa Cos., following months of uncertainty about the 200+-unit chain’s future.

Fresh & Easy posted on its website Tuesday that more than 4,000 jobs would be saved under the purchase agreement but that some stores will be closing.  Specific stores have not been identified, and the terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.