Supermarket/Grocery

Appearing at number 21 on this year’s ranking of the 50 most powerful people in the food industry is Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel. Compiled by Supermarket News, Steinhafel is probably ranked about where he should be considering the company’s position in the hierarchy of food retailers and other people in positions of power whose actions influence impacts the food universe. Click here to view the list.

CHICAGO — About a week after announcing it would join First Lady Obama and other retailers in bringing more choices to so-called "food deserts", Walmart announced its official presence in Chicago today with the news that it has begun work on a new supercenter in Chatham. According to the company, the store will give more options to residents of Chicago's South Side neighborhood while at the same time creating approximately 400 jobs.

American consumers may not like inflation, but retailers are enjoying the favorable impact rising prices have on their same-store sales calculations. It was evident last month when most retailers reported healthy comp increases, and more of the same could be in store for July as it appears retailers are effectively passing through increased prices to shoppers.

Salisbury, N.C. -- Discount grocery chain Bottom Dollar Food announced Monday plans to enter the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets.

The expansion includes 14 stores that will open in 2012 and slated to create more than 600 jobs.

Seattle -- Amazon said Monday it has launched a new app to support AmazonFresh on Android phones.

AmazonFresh, a division of Amazon, is available only in the Seattle area and is a service for ordering groceries online for home delivery.

With the new application, users can shop complete grocery and selected Amazon.com aisles, choose home delivery times, view past purchases, and place orders.

The app also includes features such as barcode scanning and list functionality.  
 
 

By Michael Havdala, [email protected]

When the Circuit City and Linens N’ Things spaces began to go dark in 2008, many landlords wondered who would step up to take their places. These concerns only deepened as the economic downturn cast doubt over retail leasing prospects.

Clifton, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that Compare Supermarket has signed on to anchor Clifton Plaza in Clifton, N.J.

The 16,000-sq.-ft. lease commitment and Clifton Plaza’s transition to a grocery-anchored property coincide with Levin’s renovation/expansion at the 80,127-sq.-ft. shopping center.

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Costa Mesa, Calif.-based shopping center developer Donahue Schriber announced it has successfully completed the final piece of a $1.2 billion balance sheet recapitalization.

The recapitalization occurred through several transactions.  The final piece was a $365 million refinance with a bank syndicate led by Bank of America and also included Wells Fargo Bank, U.S. Bank, PNC Bank, Union Bank and City National Bank. 

New Delhi, India -- A Monday report by Bloomberg said that an Indian governmental panel recommended easing market-entry restrictions, making Wal-Mart Stores’ and Carrefour SA’s path into the India retail market potentially much easier.

Citing a finance ministry official as its source, Bloomberg reported that a panel of New Delhi bureaucrats recommended on Friday that overseas companies be allowed to own up to 51% of stores that sell more than one brand if they invest a minimum of $100 million.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced Monday it is launching a charitable organization with a goal to provide children access to healthy foods.

Whole Kids Foundation, said the grocer, will work with schools, educators and other organizations to help improve children's food choices.

The foundation's first initiative is a program to help put in place or expand teaching gardens to help build children's relationships with food through the power of gardening.