Supermarket/Grocery

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments said it has purchased three retail power centers totaling about 875,000 sq. ft. for $130.9 million.

The acquired properties are Hillside Town Center, a 165,000-sq.-ft. center in Hillside, Ill., for $27 million; White Oak Village, a 433,500-sq.-ft. property in Richmond, Va., for $68 million; and Barrow Crossing, a 276,000-sq.-ft. center in Winder, Ga., for $35.9 million. Barrow Crossing is a joint venture with Faison, the original developer of the property.

Dirty stores and out of stocks negatively impact the food shopping experience, according to a study by The Retail Feedback Group which showed overall satisfaction with supermarkets at a five year high.

The Retail Feedback Group surveyed 1,200 shoppers in its 2012 U.S. Supermarket Experience Study and determined that supermarkets generate high rates of satisfaction with their shoppers, scoring a 4.47 out of a possible 5.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has launched “Made Easy,” a new and expanded selection of fresh prepared salads and vegetables, which includes 39 varieties of bag salads and kits, micro-steamers, and sliced and diced vegetables.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop is opening a new store that will include new features that emphasize health and wellness and sustainability, the company said.

Stop & Shop, a division of the U.S. subsidiary of Dutch supermarket operator Ahold, said the Wayland, Mass., store would include nine complementary electric car charging stations, as well as numerous energy-efficient features. The store's grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 16.

FORT LEE, N.J. — Supermarkets are facing increased competition from dollar stores, according to a new survey from Perception Research Services International.

Fort Lee, N.J. — Supermarkets are facing increased competition from dollar stores, according to a new survey from Perception Research Services International.

By John H. Douglas, [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu reported a loss of $111 for its second quarter, compared with net income of $60 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Revenue fell 4.6% to $8.04 billion in the quarter ended Sept. 8, from $8.43 billion in the year-earlier quarter. The decrease in net sales was blamed on both a decline in identical-store sales and the sale of a majority of the company’s gas stations, which had contributed $158 million in revenue in the second quarter last year.

WHITING, Ind. — An online consumer survey shows that nearly half of consumers go into brick-and-mortar stores with their smartphones to research items without buying them and then looked for the same item at a lower price online.

The 2,361-adult survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin.com between Sept. 18 and 20, found that 43% of smartphone and tablet owners have engaged in the practice, known as "showrooming."

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Thursday morning announced it has named Janel Haugarth to lead its independent business organization, replacing Leon Bergmann, who has decided to leave the company.