Supermarket/Grocery

New York  -- Los Angeles is on the fast track to becoming the largest city in the nation to move toward a ban on “single-use” plastic bags after the City Council passed a resolution barring their use in supermarkets, convenience stores and any big retailer, which would include Target and Walmart, that sells groceries.

Denver -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage said Thursday it is opening its second Oklahoma location – in Tulsa – on June 25. The newest store joins an existing location in Norman.

The Tulsa Natural Grocers continues the organic supermarket’s commitment to the environment, incorporating green features such as energy-efficient motion light sensors, 100% post-consumer content tiles, high efficiency heat-exchange systems, polished concrete flooring and commercial-grade LED lights.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General received a Gold Stevie award for Company of the Year in Retail at the 11th annual American Business Awards in recognition of the company’s position as an industry leader in the retail sector.

Growth opportunities in new geographies prompted Kroger to realign its organizational structure and place four executive in new roles.

Just two days after reporting strong first quarter results, the nation’s second largest food retailer established two new supermarket divisions in Nashville and Louisville.

New York -- Loblaw Cos., Canada's largest grocer, is testing a small-store discount under the Box by No Frills banner. 

The company debuted the concept in Calgary, in a 10,000-sq.-ft. store. The store everyday low price" on groceries and other merchandise, Sarah Davis, Loblaw's CFO said in a conference call Wednesday, The Canadian Press reported.
 

By Bill Leber, Swisslog

E-commerce is fundamentally changing the nature of the retail supply chain. As online shopping continues to compete with and, in many instances, overtake brick-and-mortar retail, traditional retailers are looking for more and more ways to expand their multichannel operations.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Company reported better-than-expected net income of $481 million during the first quarter of this year, up nearly 10% from $439 million in the first quarter of 2012. The company also raised its forecast for annual earnings.

Total sales increased 3.4% from $29.1 billion to $30 billion and a 3.3% increase in same-store sales beat analyst projections of a 2.8% increase.

Amazon.com and Walmart.com both sell products online, but that’s where the similarities end despite frequent efforts to compare the two.

With an ongoing investigation into alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the last thing Walmart would want to do is enter a market like Russia. Nevertheless, a Bloomberg report this week linked the company to a retailer few Americans have ever hear of.

Virginia Beach, Va. -- Divaris Real Estate has arranged five retail leases for space in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

T-Mobile signed three leases for 4,225 sq. ft. The company will move into 1,600 sq. ft. in Kempsriver Crossing in Virginia Beach, 1,500 sq. ft. in Southern Shopping Center in Norfolk and 1,125 sq. ft. in Indian River Shoppes in Chesapeake.

Original Mattress Factory is relocating to a larger space in Sam’s Circle in Chesapeake. The new space is 2,400 sq. ft.