Supply Chain & Merchandising

Weis Markets last week announced that its fourth quarter sales increased 2.8% to $734.1 million while its comparable store sales increased 2.8%, compared to the same period a year ago.

The Fresh Market has agreed to be acquired by a private equity firm several months after the retailer said it would initiate a review of strategic alternatives and a possible sale.

The struggling grocery chain said it has entered into an agreement with Apollo Global Management, LLC whereby it will acquire The Fresh Market for approximately $1.36 billion. The Fresh Market has been struggling with declining sales through several quarters, and customers have complained about high prices. Recently it had launched an effort to promote "lower prices." 

Ahold shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the company`s proposal to merge with Delhaize Group.

Ahold is buying Delhaize for $11 billion in a deal announced last year that will create one of the largest food retailers on the U.S. East Coast, as Ahold operates Stop & Shop and Delhaize operates Hannaford and Food Lion.

Specialty retailer Genesco surpassed a significant sales milestone last year, but the operator of nearly 2,700 stores faced some self-imposed profitability challenges as it posit

Growth at Citi Trends Inc. seems to be slowing, as the retailer reported a drop in comps and profit in the fourth quarter.

No retailer has more momentum right now than Ulta Beauty. The company’s fourth quarter same store sales increased 12.5% on top of a prior year gain of 11.1% and 2016 could be another year of double digits gains.

Smart & Final’s value oriented brand of food retailing is resonating with shoppers and that has the company eyeing roughly 40 new stores in 2016.