Supermarket/Grocery

IBM and Apple announced a strategic partnership earlier this year that promises to transform enterprise mobility through a new class of business apps. The companies plan to leverage their respective strengths in technology, business intelligence and user experience to create solutions that address some of the retail industry’s most pressing challenges. To better understand what that means, Retailing Today spoke with Jill Puleri, VP and global retail industry leader for IBM Global Business Services.

Miami Gardens, Fla. — Palmetto Park, the owner of Palmetto Gardens Plaza, has signed three new leases for the seven-acre shopping plaza located in Miami Gardens. T-Mobile and Cell Phone Repair are both national companies; Lee Nails has a number of other locations throughout Florida.  

Construction on this portion of the plaza is scheduled to be complete by the third quarter of 2015. Construction on a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Store, which will serve as anchor tenant, is underway and will open in the fourth quarter 2014.

Walmart unveiled new details regarding the digital strategy for its Asda division in the United Kingdom that could have implications for how the retailer serves the U.S. market.

U.K. shoppers love the internet and Walmart’s Asda unit is responding with growth of order online, pick up in store capabilities known as Click and Collect, dedicated facilities and the consolidation of Web sites.

NEW YORK — 18 | 8 Fine Men's Salons has leased its first New Jersey locations in Somerset and Essex Counties. Winick Realty Group New Jersey broker Alison Cohen, the exclusive broker for 18|8 Fine Men's Salons in New Jersey, represented the salon in both transactions.

Kroger reported total sales of $25.3 billion, representing an increase of 11.6% for its second quarter. Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 12.4% in the second quarter over the same period last year.

Cincinnati – The Kroger Co. beat Wall Street expectations with strong net earnings and sales results for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Net earnings rose 9% to $347 million from $317 million, while total sales increased 12% to $25.3 billion compared to $22.7 billion for the same period in the prior year.

Bloomfield, Mich. — Adam Goodman, VP of Mid-America Real-Estate-Michigan, announced the following leases:

Eastpointe & Detroit, Michigan. – Gabe Schuchman and Adam Goodman of Mid-America Real Estate-Michigan signed four leases on behalf of the landlord, Curis Enterprises.  Three leases were signed at 9 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue in Eastbrooke Commons Shopping Center in Eastpointe, Michigan.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly planning to do away with its Wal-Mart Express banner. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, an internal corporate memo indicates that Wal-Mart will rebrand its 21 Express stores, which average about 12,000-sq.-ft., to its larger 45,000-sq.-ft. Neighborhood Market banner in the next few months.