Supermarket/Grocery

Jewel-Osco has named Scott Hays as VP operations for the Chicagoland grocery store.

Most recently a district manager with Albertsons LLC’s Southern division, Hays will lead the operations team to support Jewel-Osco’s marketing and merchandising initiatives, including the company’s upcoming remodels and opening their five newly acquired Dominick’s locations.

Retailers on the lookout for new products will find an innovative item from Welch’s gives shoppers a whole new way to PB&J and extends the Welch’s brand deeper into the snack category.

Las Cruces, New Mexico — The family-fun Natural Grocers has opened its fifth New Mexico location in Las Cruces at 3970 E. Lohman Avenue.

The national chain has locations across Colorado, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Montana, Kansas, Idaho, Nebraska, Arizona and Oregon.

Chicago — Fresh Thyme Famers Market has leased 25,000 sq. ft. at Cress Creek Square in Naperville, Ill., from Arthur Goldner & Associates. Office Max will vacate the space, and the grocer will open in 2015. CBRE represented Fresh Thyme in the transaction.

The center also hosts Binny’s, Blast Fitness and Car Quest as well as several smaller lifestyle stores and restaurants.

Dallas — SRS Real Estate Partners has signed John topping and Robert Drake to its Southeast Investment Sales Team.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has announced four leases totaling 29,099 sq. ft. of retail space in the Hampton roads area of Virginia.

PetSmart has taken 14,286 sq. ft. at Peninsula town Center in Hampton. As the chain’s exclusive representative in Virginia, the Richmond office of DRE represented PetSmart in the negotiations.

Ulta has signed a lease for 10,500 sq. ft. in Crossways Shopping Center in Chesapeake. DRE’s Virginia Beach office represented the landlord, JLP-Chesapeake in the transaction.

Washington, D.C. – Spurred by warmer spring weather, U.S. retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.8% adjusted month-to-month in March and 1.6% unadjusted year-over-year, according to estimates from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Basel, Switzerland – Switzerland’ largest food retailer, Coop, has rolled out Reflexis Task Manager to its stores. Coop uses the application to: communicate efficiently and effectively between corporate, field, and stores; improve planning; and benefit from feedback, sharing of best practices, and real-time visibility into task execution.

Cheshunt, U.K. -- Tesco U.K. buyers and category managers are using KSS Retail PriceStrat’s science and analytical tools to help plan and understand the impact of potential offers. Facing increased competition and consumer price sensitivity due to a slow economic recovery, Tesco has made price and promotion key areas of focus.

A few months ago, Amazon.com made a disruptive splash in the world of home delivery with the announcement of its drone project. The new Amazon Dash mobile ordering device for AmazonFresh customers may not be as attention-grabbing as unmanned aircraft bringing goods to your door, but its potential to disrupt how consumers select and purchase items is much greater.