Supermarket/Grocery

Regional grocer Weis Markets is pressing forward with a $101 million capital expenditure program this year as it looks to restore top line growth at its Northeast operations.

The operator of 166 stores, 122 of which are located in Pennsylvania, confirmed a previously disclosed capital expenditure budget of $101 million would be used to fund 16 projects. Those projects consist of two new stores under construction in Selinsgrove and Enola, Pa., 13 remodels and expansion of a 1.1 million-sq.-ft. distribution center in Milton, Pa.

WTI expects May 2014 to trend the coldest in three years and drier than last year. On the West Coast, it will be cooler than last year, but still above normal, while the South trends warmer than last year and normal. There is a good chance that a large portion of the North will trend cooler than last year and normal. There will be a band of severe weather potential extending from the lower Mississippi Valley northeast to eastern Ohio which will set the stage for increased demand for clean-up categories.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway reported a net loss of $76.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net earnings of $118.9 million in the same period a year earlier. The company is working toward closing its $9.4 billion merger with Albertson’s by the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year.

Franklin, Tenn. – China was the fastest-growing country in Asia during 2013 in terms of new POS terminal installed. According to a new report from IHL Group, “Asia/Pacific POS Terminal Study,” China had 12% year-over-year growth in year-over-year POS terminal installations.

The Asia/Pacific region as a whole experienced 6.5% POS terminal growth. Other findings include that uncertainty about foreign ownership of retailers slowed POS growth in India to 8% and that Vietnam was the newest hot market for new POS devices.

Safeway posted sales of $8.3 billion in the first quarter of 2014, representing an increase of 1%. The slight uptick in sales was primarily attributed to an identical-store sales (excluding fuel) increase of 1.8%, partly offset by lower fuel sales in 2014.

The identical-store sales (excluding fuel) increase of 1.8% consists of a 1% increase in price per item and a 0.8% increase in volume. Safeway's share of sales in all outlet channels increased slightly, and sales to its most loyal households improved during the quarter.

Former Supervalu and Canadian Tire executive Wayne Sales was named to the board of directors at Toys “R” Us to fill a position vacated by Michael Calbert.

Calbert had served on the Toys “R” Us board since 2005 and the company noted his departure did not involve any disagreement. Calbert also serves on the board of Dollar General and earlier this year resigned from KKR & Co.

Supervalu has elected Frank (Terry) Savage and Mathew Pendo to its board of directors.

Savage and Pendo were both appointed to the board as designees of Symphony Investors, a Cerberus Capital Management-led investor consortium, under the terms of the tender offer agreement entered into with Symphony Investors and Cerberus in connection with Supervalu’s sale of five banners to an affiliate of Symphony Investors. Symphony Investors owns approximately 20.9% of Supervalu’s outstanding common stock.

Jelly Belly Candy Co. will celebrate its American heritage with the introduction of two new patriotic bags of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

The All American mix, which consists of Very Cherry (red), Coconut (white) and Blueberry (blue), is now available in a 3.5-oz. bag that features Mr. Jelly Belly waving the American flag. The 3.5-oz bag of Very Cherry — the top-selling jelly bean flavor, according to the company — now features an updated design with a white gingham pattern and a graphic of ripe cherries that bring to mind summer picnics.

Amazon continues to power ahead with record first quarter sales, solid bottom line improvement and intriguing new initiatives to drive future performance.

Sales increased 23% to $19.7 billion during the quarter ended March 31, compared to $16 billion the prior year. The sales figure was comprised of product sales which grew 18.3% to $15.7 billion and service sales which grew 44% to slightly more than $4 billion. The company’s fulfillment costs increased 29% to $2.3 billion.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. said that its Fry's Marketplace store in Phoenix marks the 500th Kroger location to earn the Energy Star designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.