Supermarket/Grocery

Supermarket chain Raley's is teaming up with a web portal that offers discounts to members of the chain's loyalty card program.

Aisle50 announced the partnership with the California-based chain, which will offer it at all its 120 Raley's Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods locations. Aisle50 works by allowing customers to purchase items online and then pick them up in the store, receiving discounts using their loyalty cards.

Former Walmart executive Mark Trowbridge has joined supply chain technology provider Park City Group as one of the firm’s senior advisors.

Trowbridge spent 16 years at Walmart where he launched the Neighborhood Market store and a merchant leadership rogram to recruit and train buyers, according to a press release announcing his new role at Park City Group. He still lives in Bentonville. Trowbridge’s new responsibilities include developing business solutions, consulting and expanding efforts in the retail channel.

Stater Bros. has announced that VP of real estate Mike Slaton passed away suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 28. He was 51 years old.

As a tribute to Slaton, the 44,000-sq.-ft. Stater Bros. supermarket that opened recently in Redlands, Calif., will be dedicated in his honor.  
 

New York -- Consumers are choosing specialty foods over conventional foods at record levels, according to research from the Specialty Food Association.
 
Nearly 75% of U.S. consumers report making specialty food purchases this year, a major increase since the economic downturn of 2009 when only 46% reported that they bought these high-quality products. Consumers surveyed say they spend about one quarter of their at-home food dollars on specialty options like artisanal chocolates, cheeses and oils.

Beachwood, Ohio — DDR Corp. has announced the closing of its previously announce acquisition activity totaling $591 million. The acquisitions include a portfolio of seven prime power centers in a newly-formed joint venture with an affiliate of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII L.P. for $332 million in August and two market dominant regional power centers in Orlando, Fla. and Atlanta, Ga., for an aggregate $259 million in July.

Dallas — SRS Real Estate Partners has announced a September transactions and new assignments carried out by SRS offices across the country.

SRS Atlanta:
•    Three new tenants have inked deals at Krog Street Market, a 30,000-sq.-ft. mixed–use redevelopment project owned by Paces Properties. Fred’s Meat & Bread has leased a 600-sq.-ft. space; Gu’s Dumplings has taken 600 sq. ft. and The Little Tart Bakeshop plans to open a 200-sq.-ft. market stall.

St. Petersburg, Fla. — The Sembler Company leased 58,000 sq. ft. in Florida during August. Here are the individual lease signings:

Springfield, N.J. – Village Super Market reported net income of $6.2 million during fourth quarter 2013 and $25.8 million during the full fiscal year. These figures were respectively down 31% from $9 million and 18% from $31.4 million year-over-year.

The retailer cited the negative impact of higher expenses and lower gross profits as contributing to its drop in net income.

Mars Chocolate North America has unveiled a new line of candies in several flavors just in time for Halloween.

The candy maker announced the release of its latest line, which includes Snickers peanut butter pumpkin-based singles, as well as jack-o-lantern-shaped Snickers-brand pumpkin, available in two packs. The company is also releasing a new large variety bag of Snickers Fun Size canned, available in Snickers Original, Almond and Peanut Butter Squared bars.

Rochester, N.Y. - Teamsters Local 118 members on Monday overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer from Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. that would eliminate the pensions of more than 900 Rochester employees and not provide health care for their spouses. Local 118 will immediately request the participation of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to settle the outstanding contract.