Supermarket/Grocery

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that retail sales in the U.S. climbed more than anticipated in September, boosted by unexpected increases in household spending.

Sales advanced 1.1% in September, on the heels on a 1.2% increase in August that was the biggest since Oct. 2010. The median forecast of 77 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.8% rise in September.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- Higher consumer confidence levels, increased impulse buying and consumer intent to spend more could all lead to an upside surprise in 2012 holiday spending, according to Nielsen analyses.

Although almost six out of every 10 consumers (59%) reported plans to spend the same as last year, there is a 10-point drop (from 37% in 2011 to 27% in 2012) in the number of people expecting to spend less. Eight percent of respondents reported plans to spend more this holiday season, up from 5% in 2011 and 2010.

Boston -- Grossman Development Group (GDG), a boutique real estate development firm led by Howard Grossman, announced that it has begun site work for the 330,000-sq.-ft. Granite Ridge Marketplace, a 57-acre shopping center development located in Rochester, N.H.

The development, which boasts a trade area of 198,000 people, will feature a mix of anchor retail, junior anchor retail, small stores, restaurants and entertainment. It is located on Route 11, the gateway to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and close to the Maine border.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The pace at which Walmart adds new selling space globally will remain unchanged next year, but improved productivity, more U.S. stores and expanding multichannel capabilities are expected to produce sales and profit growth.

Safeway reported income from continuing operations of $108 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2012 compared with $130.3 million (38 centper diluted share) in the third quarter of 2011.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — It seems that consumers' holiday spending intentions are more positive than last year, according to NPD's 11th annual holiday retail study.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is looking to ease the fears of consumers concerned about risig food costs by promising not to raise prices on hundreds of items through the holidays.

ATLANTA — Hair accessories brand Goody is gearing up for the holidays with its Luxe line of hair accessories, which will feature new styles and designs for the holidays.

The Luxe collection is comprised of four styles: Vine, Deco, Antique and Starburst.  They range from classic to modern and capture the crisp, sleek lines of art deco, the charm and romance of vintage jewels, the whimsy and light of the constellations and the flourishing expressions of vines and blooms.

Port Washington, N.Y. -- The majority of consumers intend to spend the same (67%) this holiday season than last year, and 10% plan to spend more while fewer that say they plan to spend less, according to the NPD Group’s 11th Annual Holiday Survey.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. posted a lower profit from continuing operations for the third quarter on Thursday, but its net profit rose to $157 million from $130.2 last year, helped by the sale of some of its Genuardi's stores. The company reported income from continuing operations of $108.0 million for the quarter ended Sept. 8, compared with $130.3 million in third quarter 2011.