Supermarket/Grocery

It’s onto the next step for Safeway and Albertsons. No additional bidders emerged during Safeway’s 21-day “go shop” period following Albertsons’ announcement of its intention to acquire the company.

Under the definitive merger agreement, Safeway and its representatives were permitted to solicit and engage in negotiations with respect to alternative acquisition proposals during the 21-day period that ended March 27.

It’s official. Loblaw has completed its acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation, which is now a separate operating division of Loblaw.

"The most successful partnerships are grounded in strengths that complement each other," said Galen G. Weston, executive chairman, Loblaw. "Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart are perfect partners. We will drive growth and profitability through our unmatched mix of store formats, products and offerings. This is truly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts."

WTI expects April 2014 to trend the coldest in five years and drier than last year for the U.S. as a whole. Warmer year-on-year temperature trends in the Central states will be sandwiched in between colder trends on the East and West coasts. A more active severe weather season than last year in the South Central states can be expected, especially across parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Storm cleanup supplies and plastic sheeting will see increased demand in harder hit areas.

Time Inc.'s All You brand is expanding its newsstand distribution beginning with the April 2014 issue, already in newsstands.

In addition to being sold at Walmart, All You will be available at most major retail chains across the country including supermarkets, drugstores and bookstores like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Target, CVS, Walgreens and Barnes & Noble, in addition to being sold by subscription. This expansion follows a successful rollout across retailers in the Southeast market that began last June.

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores is testing a new convenience-store concept called “Walmart To Go,” with the initial location in the chain’s hometown of Bentonville, Ark.

The new store offers convenience store products, prepared foods and gasoline. At approximately 2,500 sq. ft., Walmart To Go is much smaller than the company’s other small-format concept, Walmart Express, which averages about 15,000 sq. ft.

Walmart also has a grocery delivery service with a similar name, WalmartToGo.com, in two markets.

Memphis, Tenn. – Fred’s Inc. reported a substantial 34.5% decrease in its net income during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, to $5.56 million from $8.49 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales declined 7.2% to $495 million from $533.4 million, and same-store sales grew 0.1%.

Memphis, Tenn. – A mixed-use retail center has reportedly been proposed for downtown Memphis. According to the Memphis Daily News, the 10,500-sq.-ft., two-story building would contain office, restaurant and café space, as well as a potential convenience store.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has announced the signing of two new leases for a combined 7,700 sq. ft. and one lease renewal for 3,612 sq. ft. in the greater Richmond area.

Sherwin Williams signed a new lease for 6,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the Town Hall Shopping Center in Colonial Heights, Va. DRE’s Richmond office represented the tenant in the transaction.

Tampa, Fla. — Global Realty and Management has appointed RMC Property Group the exclusive leasing agent for its Shoppes at Glen Lakes, a 66,600-sq.-ft. retail shopping center located on U.S. 19 in Weeki Wachee, Fla.

Favorable tax credits and a 53rd week in fiscal 2012 affected Fred’s net income results for the fourth quarter. Severe weather also contributed some to the company’s net sales decline, as did higher-than-normal utility bills and rising generic drug costs.

The company reported a substantial 34.5% decrease in its net income during the quarter of fiscal 2013, to $5.56 million from $8.49 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales declined 7.2% to $495 million from $533.4 million, and same-store sales grew 0.1%.