Supermarket/Grocery

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has announced its stores raised $14.5 million in October for breast cancer research. The company thanked its customers and employees for their commitment to finding a cure for the most common form of cancer for women.

"We continue to be humbled by the generosity of our customers and the commitment our employees have for the cause," said Larree Renda, EVP Safeway and chair of the Safeway Foundation. "This kind of fundraising outcome will have a real and measurable impact on the science of finding a cure."

NEW YORK — The ways in which the largest U.S. retail brands address the needs of their customers on Facebook and Twitter were unveiled last week in a white paper — Safeway and Sears topped charts; Costco, Kmart, Kroger and Walmart were found wanting, according to Conversocial, a software company that develops social media tools.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A regional supermarket chain is looking to enhance its customers' shopping experience with the introduction of a new mobile application.

Big Y said that its mobile app — powered by mobile commerce platform provider AisleBuyer's mShop, which allows shoppers to scan barcodes to view and compare product and nutrition information, access customer reviews and receive personalized coupons and offers — is designed to deliver enhanced customer service and engagement.

The low single-digit apparel-and-accessories comps increase Target reported in October put the company squarely in the middle of the pack with department store and specialty apparel competitors.

Boston -- AisleBuyer and Big Y Foods announced a partnership to provide Big Y’s customers with a mobile application for iPhone and Android devices that seeks to deliver a new level of customer service and empowerment.

Central Ohio’s largest mall opened 10 years ago, and has continued to improve and evolve over a sometimes tumultuous decade, thanks to a hands-on management approach by its owner Glimcher Realty Trust, based in Columbus, Ohio.  Chain Store Age talked with Michael Glimcher, president and CEO of Glimcher Realty Trust, about Polaris Fashion Place and how it has stood the test of time.

In its 10-year history, how has Polaris Fashion Place changed/evolved over the decade, especially during the more recent recessionary climate?

Northbrook, Ill. -- Pine Tree Silverpeak Retail Partners, a joint venture between Northbrook, Ill.-based Pine Tree Commercial Realty and New York City-based Silverpeak Real Estate Partners, recently teamed up with New York City-based Privet Investments in the acquisition of Hamilton Place Shopping Center in Auburn, Ala.

The partners purchased the grocery-anchored shopping center from an Alabama-based developer, assuming existing financing. Publix anchors the 79,540-sq.-ft. center.

Beaverton, Ore. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that regional vitamin and supplement retailer Super Supplements has leased 4,165-sq.-ft. of space at Walker Center, located in Beaverton, Ore.

The new store is slated to open for business in spring 2012.
 
The 89,609-sq.-ft. shopping center features national retailers such as Massage Envy, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.
 

It’s working. That was the message Walmart EVP merchandising Duncan Mac Naughton shared this week with those who attended several events in which Walmart’s head merchant offered his perspective on the back-to-basics operational and merchandising philosophy on which the company’s U.S. strategy is once again dependant.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion announced that this year's fundraising campaign to benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals totaled $4.2 million.

This year's donation represents a 43% increase over last year, Food Lion said. The supermarket chain, which has supported CMN Hospitals since 1991, has raised more than $40 million for the organization.