Supermarket/Grocery

Retail sales rise ahead of holiday shopping
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. retail sales edged up in October, according to a report released by the Commerce Department, evidence that recent job gains and lower gas prices are lifting consumer spending as the holiday shopping season begins. Retail sales rose 0.3% last month after falling by the same amount in September. Excluding gas stations, where falling prices lowered spending, sales rose a solid 0.5%.
Woolworth's rolls out Galleria promotional display optimization solution
Chicago -- Accounting for over a third of grocery retailers' total sales, promotions are a top priority. Recognizing the profit potential, Australian retailer Woolworths prioritized the implementation of process improvements that would promote efficiency through its promotional strategies.

Exclusive: Tractor Supply, Aztec Shops improve HR with Kronos tech

Las Vegas –- At the recent KronosWorks 2014 conference in Las Vegas, clients across a variety of industries spoke about how they use Kronos solutions to better perform a variety of human resources and workforce management tasks.
Togo's names former IHOP and Taco Bell exec as COO

San Jose, Calif. -- West Coast sandwich operator Togo's Eateries, Inc. has named Jim Peros as its new COO, charged with overseeing all operations and the expansion of the brand's restaurants throughout the West.
Smart & Final reports increases in quarterly profit and sales

Commerce, Calif. -- Smart & Final Stores, Inc. reported that profit for the third quarter edged up 1.9% to $10.2 million. Sales surged 10.8% to $1.13 billion, and same-store sales leapt 6.6%. “We continue to grow sales in both of our store banners--Smart & Final and Cash & Carry--and this has translated into strong financial results.," said Dave Hirz, president and CEO.
In store leaders becoming online laggards

The online grocery channel, while a minor part of FMCG/CPG sales in the U.S. currently, is widely anticipated to be a primary driver of growth for the category in the coming years. And the emergence of this channel can’t happen too soon - total dollar sales for FMCG/CPG products increased just 1.5% last year according to IRI. But change is coming.
Douglas Elliman team complete leasing of iconic Harlem Co-op

New York -- With the signing of Capital One at 700 St. Nicholas Avenue, on the northeast corner of 145th Street, the Douglas Elliman Retail Group team of Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, Joseph Aquino, executive VP and Arthur Maglio have repositioned the retail profile of Hillview Towers, comprising the block-front that stretches along West 145th Street between St. Nicholas and Edgecombe Avenues in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem.
DDR exits joint venture in Buffalo

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced the sale of an 11-property portfolio--located primarily in the Buffalo MSA that was previously held in joint venture with Kuwaiti Financial Centre II--for a total of $154 million. The portfolio was comprised of small-format traditional grocery-anchored centers and single tenant non-prime assets.
BH Properties names chief acquisition officer

Los Angeles -- BH Properties has announced the hire of Andrew Van Tuyle as chief acquisition officer. In this role, Van Tuyle will be responsible for the firm’s property and debt acquisitions throughout the Southwest.
Friday Halloween spurred early holiday spending

Atlanta -- This year, a Halloween that fell on Friday helped boost spending growth in October, according to the monthly SpendTrend report from First Data Corp.
Wal-Mart reports rare sales boost, anticipates highly promotional holiday season

Bentonville, Ark. -- A rare sales bump may provide the world’s largest retailer just the momentum it needs going into the important holiday season, say Wall Street analysts, as Wal-Mart reported that 3Q same-store sales rose at U.S. namesake stores for the first time in nearly two years.

However, Wal-Mart tempered the news with warnings that a highly promotional environment lies ahead.
Most customers frustrated by self-service technology

Lisle, Ill. -- Glory Global Solutions found that the overwhelming majority of U.S. consumers using self-service machines (88%) have felt frustrated by the technology, this according to the company’s latest research study on the use of self-service technology.