Supermarket/Grocery

Report: Kroger rebranding some Harris Teeter stores
Kroger is moving ahead with its strategic plan for 2015 by closing and rebranding some of its Harris Teeter stores in Tennessee, according to the Nashville Tennessean.

The four Harris Teeter stores owned and operated by the Kroger Co. in the Nashville, Tenn., area will be closing on or before June 15, the newspaper reports. Three of the stores will re-open, but under the Kroger banner. This is the first time the Kroger Co. has switched banners on a Harris Teeter store.
Project Profile: Coastal North Town Center, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Recent completion of the $60 million power center Coastal North Town Center signaled the arrival of Myrtle Beach’s first Publix supermarket and Hobby Lobby store.

Report: FMI asks for delay in EMV rollout

Arlington, Va. – The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) is reportedly asking major credit card companies to delay the October 2015 mandate for U.S. retailers to comply with the Europay, Mastercard Visa (EMV) chip-based payment card standard. According to the Wall Street Journal, the FMI sent a letter to Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Financial Services asking for the deadline to be moved into 2016.
Wal-Mart launches anti-hunger initiative

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is launching the spring “Fight Hunger. Spark Change” campaign, a nationwide initiative inviting the public to take action in the fight against hunger. Working with food companies including Campbell’s, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft, and Unilever, Wal-Mart aims to donate up to $3 million to Feeding America based on customer participation in the #WeSparkChange social media challenge.
Lockridge named president of Atlas Technology Group

Atlas Technology Group, one of the fastest growing retail technology solution providers in the consumer goods industry, has named a new president.

Pat Lockridge, who has been SVP of sales at Atlas since 2013, has been promoted to president. Nicholas Dozier will remain CEO of ATLAS Technology Group, which is based in Bentonville, Ark.
Cub Foods rolls out special-needs shopping carts

Midwestern grocery chain Cub Foods is introducing special needs shopping carts that combine the functionality of a wheelchair with a traditional cart.

The customized carts will be available at all 76 Cub stores in Minnesota, as well as one store in Freeport, Ill., by the end of April.
Cub Foods deploying disability-friendly shopping carts
Meijer plans remodel of four Dayton, Ohio area supercenters

Grand Rapids. Mich. - Meijer will invest nearly $50 million in extensive remodel projects for four supercenters located in Kettering, Miami Township, Englewood and Beavercreek, Ohio.
Meijer to invest $50M in supercenters

Meijer has announced that it will invest nearly $50 million to remodel and expand four supercenters in Ohio, bucking a trend set by Walmart and other retailers of focusing on smaller stores<span style="color: rgb(54, 54, 54); font-family
Report: Wal-Mart seeks lower supply chain costs, expanded grocery

New York – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly asking suppliers to cut their product costs and also seeking to expand its grocery business. According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart is recommending that suppliers forego investing in joint marketing programs with the retailer and use that savings to reduce the price Wal-Mart pays for their goods.
Amazon officially releases Dash, no fooling

Seattle – Some observers thought it might be an April Fools prank, but Amazon.com has officially released its Amazon Dash mobile ordering device for AmazonFresh customers. Chain Store Age readers had no confusion as we first reported the pilot of Dash in April 2014, but here is a brief primer of how Dash works.
Report: Walmart outlines strategic initiatives in New York

Walmart plans to improve the customer experience, invest in its grocery business, and put pressure on suppliers to drive down prices, according to a Bloomberg report.