Supply Chain & Merchandising

By Sam Khalilieh, [email protected]

Study after study has concluded that adding doors to medium temperature coolers (MTC) is a great solution for a variety of issues that plague grocery retailers. Whether looking at energy use, operational costs, product safety, or consumer comfort, there is no down side to adding doors. So why do so many overlook this very basic approach? This question has been puzzling me for a long time.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter rose to $81.6 million, from $25.1 million in the year-earlier period.

Sales edged up 2.4% to $10 billion, from $9.8 billion last year. Same-store sales were flat.

“We continue to believe sales will grow as our new marketing initiatives take hold," said Steve Burd, chairman and CEO.

Following up on last week’s article (One area where Amazon.com doesn’t have an advantage), the extent of that advantage in the U.S. was on display in the nation’s capitol this week.

New York – Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said it has negotiated an 11,825-sq.-ft. lease on behalf of Party City for a new store in the Penn Plaza district of Manhattan.

The store, at 223 West 34th St., is scheduled to open in second quarter 2012. This will be the party goods retailer’s second location in Manhattan.
 

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based farm and ranch retailer saw same-store sales increase 11.5% in the first quarter ended March 31. Net sales increased 22% to $1.02 billion.

Net income for the quarter was $40.3 million, compared to net income of $18.3 million in the same quarter last year.

Green Bay, Wis. -- Jones Lang LaSalle said Thursday that business at East Town Mall, in Green Bay, Wis., would continue as usual, as the Atlanta-based company takes over as receiver for the mall.

The 198,000-sq.-ft. regional shopping center is located on the east side of Green Bay, Wis., in Brown County. Greg Maloney of Jones Lang LaSalle was appointed receiver and, under his leadership, JLL’s retail leasing and management team assumed immediate oversight of the mall and put its expertise to work to help stabilize the asset.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart said Thursday it has launched a “Pay with Cash” service that offers cash payment options for online orders at Walmart.com in the United States.

Walmart is the first major retailer to offer online purchases without the need for banking services or a credit, debit or prepaid card.

First quarter sales at the leading online retailer surged 34% to $13.2 billion during the first quarter ended March 31, as the company continues to enjoy a huge competitive advantage by allowing customers to avoid paying sales tax.

Despite surging sales, net income at the company declined 35% to $130 million or 28 cents a share, compared with $201 million or 44 cents a share the prior years. Operating income also declined considerably, dropping to $192 million in the first quarter compared with $322 million in first quarter 2011.