Supermarket/Grocery

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported a 4.4% increase in May same-store sales that was toward the upper end of a guidance range that called for a low-to-mid single-digit increase.

Same-store sales at Costco’s U.S. stores increased 5% during the four week period ended May 27.

Ric Jurgens spent the past 43 years working for and building Hy-Vee into a strong regional chain and later this summer his accomplishments will be acknowledged by the Grocery Manufacturers Association when he receives the organization’s Hall of Achievement Award.

New York -- Target and TJX Cos. both reported better-than-expected results in May, with a 4.4% and an 8% increase in same-store sales, respectively. Wall Street expected Target same-store sales to be up 3.5% in May and forecasted TJX sales to rise 5.3%.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — May sales at Fred's Inc. increased 6% to $152.1 million from $143.6 million in May 2011. Comparable-store sales for the month rose 1.3% compared with an increase of 0.2% in the same period last year.

Fred's total sales for the first four months of fiscal 2012 increased 4% to $652.6 million compared with $628 million for the same period last year. On a comparable-store basis, year-to-date sales increased 0.1% on top of an increase of 0.8% in the same period last year.

Yankee Candle Company president and CEO Harlan Kent is the newest member of the specialty apparel retailer Rue21’s board of directors.

Rue21 is a rapidly expanding specialty apparel retailer that currently operates 810 stores in 46 states

Raleigh, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that The Organic Bedroom will open a 1,300-sq.-ft. store at Sutton Square, in Raleigh, N.C.

Specializing in mattresses made of organic and natural materials, the store is slated to open for business in June 2012.

The 101,025-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 24,167-sq.-ft. Fresh Market alongside national retailers such as Pet Supermarket, Rite Aid and Performance Bicycle.
 

Washington, D.C. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement in response to the announcement that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has reached an agreement with Amazon.com requiring the online retailer to begin collecting state sales tax on purchases made in New Jersey by July 1, 2013.

"Today's announcement ends the practice of giving out-of-state retailers like Amazon.com an unfair advantage over those retailers who are an integral part of communities across New Jersey," said RILA president Sandy Kennedy

Orlando, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects said Wednesday it has been awarded a contract to design four Aldi Supermarkets in located in North and South Carolina and Florida.

Each of the supermarket facilities will total 18,000 sq. ft. of retail space and are located in Salisbury and Indian Trails, N.C., in Columbia, S.C., and in southwest Orlando, Fla., near Disney World.

 

Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based shopping center owner Regency Centers said it has completed the redevelopment of Boynton Lakes Plaza, a 117,124-sq.-ft. neighborhood center in Boynton Beach, Fla., which included the addition of a 45,000-sq.-ft. Publix.

The new grocery anchor relocated from an undersized store in a nearby center and is slated to open on June 9.