Supermarket/Grocery

Bentonville, Ark. – A regional class-action gender bias suit filed against Wal-Mart Stores in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has reportedly been dismissed. According to Bloomberg, U.S, District Court Judge Robert N. Scola ruled that plaintiffs in the case had missed time limitations to file claims and that their claims were previously rejected in another gender bias case.

Software Paradigms International (SPI), a leading global, award-winning retail IT services and solutions provider, has acquired Shiloh Technologies, an Arkansas-based analytic software company for retailers and suppliers.

“This acquisition was strategic, allowing us to extend our product portfolio to provide POS analytics from retailers to their suppliers. It also provides Shiloh clients with the opportunity to leverage our global services and products — providing both companies with endless opportunities,” said Sid Mookerji, CEO and co-founder, SPI.

Sunbury, Pa. -- Weis Markets announced that company president and CEO David J. Hepfinger has left the company to pursue other interests. Company vice chairman Jonathan H. Weis replaces him as interim CEO. Robert F. Weis remains as company chairman.

Hepfinger has also resigned from the company's board of directors. As part of the reorganization, Kurt Schertle, executive VP, sales and merchandising will report directly to Weis who will also oversee the company's real estate/store development, finance and human resources' teams.

Boston — The Wilder Companies has been awarded five new leasing and management contracts for nearly 900,000 sq. ft. in five shopping centers on the north and south shores of Boston.

The Crossing at Walkers Brook in Reading, Mass., is a 480,000-sq.-ft. center featuring Jordan’s Furniture, an IMAX Theatre and The Home Depot. An 80,000-sq.-ft. pedestrian-friendly lifestyle portion of the center features Staples, Golfsmith, the Paper Store, Macaroni Grill, Chili’s, and Starbucks.

Washington, D.C. -- Nearly 158 million consumers will participate in Halloween activities this year, slightly less than the historic high of 170 million people last year. New figures from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicate the average consumer will spend $75.03 on Halloween this year, down 6% from $79.82 last year.

However, average overall spending on Halloween has increased 54.7% since 2005, with total spending estimated to reach $6.9 billion in 2013. Other NRF figures include:

Burlington, Mass. — Torchlight Investors has sold the property at 476 Boston Turnpike. KeyPoint Partners represented Torchlight in the transaction.

B-W Warrenville Operations bought the property, a former Borders Books store, prominently located in a retail-intensive section of Route 9 near Stop & Shop, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bob’s Stores and Staples.

The new owner plans to redevelop the site for Buffalo Wild Wings and Tile Shop.

Cincinnati – David B. Dillon will step down as CEO of The Kroger Co. effective Jan. 1, 2014. Dillon, 62, is a 37-year Kroger veteran who has been serving as CEO since 2003; he will remain chairman of the board.

Atlanta — A private investor from the Atlanta, suburb of Johns Creek has acquired Camden Village Shopping Center from a California corporation. According to Marcus & Millichap of Atlanta, which represented the seller and buyer in the transaction, the purchase price totaled $6,150,000.

The center includes popular local tenants like Marlow’s Tavern and Noche Restaurant among others.

Richmond, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has renewed two retail leases totaling more than 9,500 sq. ft. in Richmond, Va.

Aaron’s renewed its lease for 8,008 sq. ft. in Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center, which DRE leases and manages for the landlord, BSV Premier Brookhill.

In a separate transaction, Subway renewed its lease for 1,575 sq. ft. at 360 West Shopping Center, which DRE www.divaris.com leases and manages for the landlord, a partnership between HSW and RMW1.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — J.Crew Factory, which offers still fashionable apparel from past J.Crew collections, plans to open a 6,100-sq.-ft. store in The Plaza Shops at Plymouth Meeting Mall this fall.

Anchored by Macy’s and Boscov’s, Plymouth Meeting Mall offers more than 100 specialty retailers. Whole Foods Market and Café anchors The Plaza Shops extension of the mall. Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust www.preit.com owns, manages and leases the property.