Supermarket/Grocery

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Tuesday reported net income of $82.5 million for the 52-week period ended Dec. 29. Even with one less week of sales, that's up 9.2% versus fiscal 2011, which was a 53-week period, the grocer noted. Sales were down slightly by 1.9% to $2.7 billion compared with the week-longer year-ago period. Comparable sales were down 2%. 

Adjusting for the 52-week to 53-week comparison, the grocer's 2012 net income increased 13.9% while sales and comparable store sales were flat.

By Mike Poldino, Motorola Solutions

Unless you have recently upgraded your point-of-sale (POS) systems, chances are the bioptic POS in your grocery store today can only scan 1D bar codes printed on the paper labels placed on items or on paper coupons. While that met the needs of yesterday’s POS, times have changed. And in order to provide your customer with the best possible experience at the POS, your POS needs to change too.

Beyond 1D — the new types of bar codes appearing in your POS lanes

Mississauga, Ontario -- Target announced that it is opening three pilot stores in Ontario on March 5 at Stone Road in Guelph, Milton Mall Shopping Centre in Milton and Gates of Fergus in Fergus. The three pilot stores are the first Target locations to open in Canada, and the first of 124 Target stores that will open across the country throughout 2013.
 

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has named new leadership at the executive and banner retail level. According to the company, the move is part of its plans to move forward with a focus on serving wholesale grocery operators, growing its hard discount format and running a smaller, more efficient retail operation following the close of its previously announced transaction with AB Acquisition LLC. That transaction is expected to be completed the week of March 18.

New York -- Winick Realty Group announced that two of Columbus Square’s anchor tenants — Whole Foods and Michael’s — are expanding their footprints at the mixed-use development located in the heart of the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

“Both Whole Foods and Michael’s have seen such great success since opening at Columbus Square,” said Winick Realty director Kelly Gedinsky. “By expanding … they are now able to accommodate the high levels of foot traffic their location demands.”

Madison, Ala. -- Brentwood, Tenn.-based GBT Realty announced that several new tenants bring its Shoppes of Madison property to near 100% occupied.

Moe’s Southwest Grill will join the new shopping center, along with Buenavista Mexican Cantina, which will open a 7,220-sq.-ft. restaurant on a 1.55-acre outparcel.

The Target-anchored Shoppes of Madison also features Ross, Petco, Kinnucan’s, and numerous junior anchors and small shops. The 28-acre center, which opened in 2012, was developed and leased by GBT Realty Corp.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart Foundation is celebrating National Nutrition Month and National School Breakfast Week by giving $6.7 million in grants to five national nonprofit organizations that are providing children with school breakfast and helping families develop better eating habits. The grants are part of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation's $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment through 2015 to help fight hunger in America and Walmart's 2011 initiative to provide customers with healthier and more affordable food choices.

New York -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said that Select Comfort Corp., which operates the Sleep Number Store, has leased several new locations in and around New York City.

In Danbury, Conn., the company leased 2,580 sq. ft. at the Shops at Marcus Dairy, an 80,000-sq.-ft. shopping center tenanted by Whole Foods, Eastern Mountain Sports and Panera Bread.