Supermarket/Grocery

Walmart didn’t mention competitive issues as a source of sales weakness during its fourth quarter, but reports this week from Kroger and Costco indicate they were at least a contributing factor.

Walmart’s tepid sales performance in the fourth quarter is water under the bridge, so when Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon spoke this week at an investor conference he quickly focused on the growth potential of smaller stores, which are being expanded at a more rapid pace.

Just as the winter months draw to a close, SC Johnson's Glade brand announced a line of new spring-inspired scents, which it says will evoke the excitement of the change of seasons.

The Glade Limited Edition Spring Collection consists of five new fragrances:

Boston -- Walmart continues to extend its lead and again achieves its price leadership position over Target, in Kantar Retail’s semi-annual pricing study. Target’s overall grocery and consumables basket has been more expensive than Walmart’s since the study was performed in January 2011.

With an overall branded basket 3.8% less expensive than Target’s, Walmart extended its lead over its rival from June 2013 when Walmart’s overall basket was only 2% cheaper than Target’s.

Chicago -- Galleria, a provider of retailer and vendor category management solutions, is expanding into the Asia Pacific region.  This growth is part of an ongoing international program of strategic focus and investment for Galleria.

In addition to navigating the regulatory hurdles and adapting to a difference in consumer culture, recent initiatives from Galleria have included solution developments to facilitate new market connectivity in Hong Kong and other areas within the region.

New York -- Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Markets Inc. is expanding. The natural-foods supermarket chain expects to open 22 to 24 stores in fiscal 2014, including five locations in the Atlanta area.

Sprouts currently operates more than 165 locations in eight states.

Meanwhile, Gap Inc. continues to expand its newest banner, Athleta, with about 30 additional U.S. stores on tap for fiscal year 2014.

In more store expansion news:

Cincinnati – Within the next 24 months, Kroger will build six new stores and expand three locations, along with opening multiple fuel centers and remodeling existing properties in the North Texas area. Kroger has already begun a store refresh program in the region that includes lower prices on thousands of popular food and household items, along with a renewed emphasis on shopping experience, fuel discounts, local products and community relations.

Sunbury, Pa. – Declining sales across a variety of categories negatively affected year-over-year fiscal performance of Weis Markets Inc. during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013. Net income declined 29% to $15.7 million from $22.1 million during the quarter, and dropped 13% to $71.7 million from $82.5 million during the year.

Weis Markets cited a shortened holiday season among the reasons for a decline in fourth quarter and year-to-date sales.

The company reported $686.4 million in fourth-quarter sales for the 13-week period ended Dec. 28, 2013, representing a decline of 1.1% as compared to the year-ago period. Comparable store sales for the same period were down 3.5%.

In 2013, the company's sales totaled $2.7 billion, down 0.3% compared to 2012. Comparable store sales for the 52-week period ending Dec. 28 declined 2.6%.