Supermarket/Grocery

QUINCY, Mass. -- Stop & Shop announced that it has launched its first mobile application for iPhone and Android devices. 

Shoppers in Charlotte, Columbus, Portland, Fresno, Norfolk and New Orleans are gaining access to a new alternative for food and consumables, as Target’s PFresh prototype arrives in those markets through a combination of recent remodeling activity and upcoming store openings.

Two new pricing studies out this past week show Target and Walmart are so close to one another on a basket of goods that shoppers would have a hard time discerning which company is the low-price leader.

Burlington, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said Monday it will expand Liberty Square Center in Burlington, N.J. The construction will take place over the next 12 months and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced Sunday that it will re-open 12 of its Seiyu stores in Japan, which were affected by the earthquake. A company spokesman added that the retailer is hoping to open the remaining 12 impacted stores as soon as possible.

Wal-Mart has 371 stores and 43 deli outlets in Japan, of which 24 were affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Of Wal-Mart's affected stores, two were severely hit and were completely covered by mud, according to the company.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. announced that it was recognized this week by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the organization's 2011 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. announced that it was recognized this week by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the organization's 2011 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has announced plans to remodel several stores in the Charlotte area. According to the company, the remodeling will begin March 27 and will add such features as open-market fresh food layout, complete a selection of fresh produce, fresh meat and baked goods. The new layout also includes reinventions in several other areas throughout the store such as beauty, home, baby and shoes.

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Food Lion announced that one lucky MVP customer will win free groceries for a year.

Customers can scan their MVP cards once a day at the in-store coupon kiosks, and they will be entered for a chance to win free groceries. Customers also can instantly win one of more than 200,000 free national and private brand items starting today through April 19. Free items will be awarded in the form of a coupon on the customer's MVP Savings Center coupon sheet which must be redeemed on the day it is issued.

CLEVELAND — American Greetings is making kids' birthday cards extra special with its Surprise Inside line.

Each Surprise Inside card features a surprise gift pouch inside that the child can open to reveal a small toy that coordinates with the card's theme, the company said. A sticker reveals to the sender what the secret gift will be.