Supermarket/Grocery

Sunbury, Pa. – Decreasing pretax income helped reduce net income at Weis Markets Inc. 12% to $13.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 from $15.7 million in the year-ago period. Net sales rose 4% to $713.8 million from $686.4 million, while same-store sales increased 3.5%.

The company attributed its sales increases to its pricing programs, which were fully implemented in the first quarter. Its results also benefited from strong sales increases in pharmacy, HBC and its fresh departments.

Improved customer service programs and a better store experience helped regional grocery chain Weis Markets post a jump in same store sales for the fourth quarter.

The Sunbury, Pa.-based food retailer reported that its fourth quarter same store sales increased 3.5%, while its net sales increased 4% to $713.8 million. During the 13-week period ending Dec. 27, the company's earnings per share totaled 51 cents compared to 59 cents for the same period in 2013. The company's fourth quarter net income declined 11.6% to $13.9 million.

Springfield, N.J. – The impact of two replacement stores and a same-store sales increase of 2.5% helped boost net income at Village Super Market Inc. 146% to $6.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, from $2.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Sales rose 5% to $411.2 million, from $392.24 million.

Village Super Market expects same store sales in fiscal 2015 to range from a 1.5% to 2.5% increase.
 

By Kent Smith, Galleria RTS

Well-stocked shelves and falling sales is a dilemma faced by many retailers today. New technology advancements such as mobile discount apps are the latest threat to grocery retail sales. Many people simply complete their grocery shopping from the convenience of their own home.

Retailers are finding it hard enough to survive, let alone thrive with channel and segment blurring making it a consumer world. The message is simple, have what you want, when you want it and at the price you want to pay.

Modesto, Calif. -- Lucky and Save Mart announced the launch of a rewards program driven by an integrated smartphone platform targeted to fit into the busy lifestyle of today’s shopper.

Named appropriately for each banner, Save Mart shoppers can start using the “Save Smart” program starting March 4 at stores throughout Sacramento, the Central Valley and Reno. “Lucky You” will launch in Bay Area Lucky stores on March 18.

Dallas -- Trademark Property Co., the operating partner for The Shops at Highland Village, has announced a multi-million dollar renovation of the 352,000-sq.-ft. shopping center that includes enhanced common area improvements, upgraded landscaping, new amenities for adults and children, updated facades, and new signage throughout the property.

New York -- Target Corp. plans to cut “several thousand” jobs, mainly at headquarters, during the next two years and invest $1 billion in technology and supply chain in 2015 as part of an ambitious and wide-reaching plan to transform its business for a digital age. (Target expects to invest between $2 and $2.2 billion in total capital expenditures in 2015.)
 

Publix, Aldi and H-E-B now share something else besides operating in the grocery sector: They all do a stupendous job of serving their customers.

According to a study of 10,000 U.S consumers, the three supermarket chains earned the highest scores in the 2015 Temkin Experience Ratings. The list ranks 293 companies across 20 industries.

Joining those firms in the top 12 spots are retailers Chick-fil-A, PetSmart, Amazon.com, Trader Joe's, Papa John's, Walgreens, and Hannaford's.