Supply Chain & Merchandising

Retail sales in September decelerated from August at many of Walmart’s competitors, but overall demand remained positive judging from the shrinking number of companies who continue to report monthly results.

Discounters The TJX Cos. and Ross Stores reported September same-store sales that rose 6% and 5%, respectively. The figures exceeded both companies’ expectations and shoppers continue to respond to their brand of apparel retail.

San Francisco -- Real estate investment and management firm Jamestown said Wednesday it has acquired 799 Market Street, a 142,902-sq.-ft. mixed-use development in downtown San Francisco.

The eight-story urban retail and office building includes five floors of creative office space atop 55,000 sq. ft. of retail, currently 100% occupied by a Ross Dress for Less flagship store, one of the five highest performing Ross stores in the nation.

By Mark J. Rowell, president, Mammoth Media

Supermarkets, apparel chains and other retail outlets need clear signage with messaging that is sharply and professionally printed to draw in customers.

New York -- Only 58% of consumer product goods executives view dollar stores as a strategic channel, according to Deloitte’s new Dollar Store Strategies for National Brands study. Deloitte advises that CPG companies may not be keeping pace with the explosive growth of the $56 billion dollar store industry, and should act now to maximize market share and profits.

In other survey highlights: 

CINCINNATI — Kroger has become a member of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Million Dollar Club. The USHCC Million Dollar Club recognizes corporations that are leaders in supplier diversity and integrating Hispanic business enterprises into their strategic sourcing and procurement process. Corporations qualify by spending between $25 million to more than $500 million with Hispanic suppliers in the previous year.

This is Kroger's third consecutive year of qualifying for membership.

Family Dollar – like Dollar General – is opening stores as fast as it can and this week said it would add 500 new units ahead of what is expected to be an announcement by Walmart next week to accelerate growth of its own small format.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust announced the acquisition of six triple-net leased grocery properties in two separate portfolio acquisitions, with a total combined purchase price of approximately $71.4 million.

The acquisitions include three grocery stores in Missouri that are fully leased to Schnuck Markets, purchased for approximately $22.6 million in a sale-leaseback transaction. Additionally, three Pathmark grocery stores located in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York were acquired for approximately $48.8 million.

Killingly, Conn. -- Brixmor Property Group announced that Kohl’s has opened a new store at Killingly Plaza, located in Killingly, Conn.

Kohl’s will take 55,068 renovated sq. ft. of the 66,000-sq.-ft. center, which was previously home to Stop & Shop and a Blockbuster video store.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Killingly Plaza.