News Briefs

Marketplace at Buckhead, a retail center located in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, Ga., has a new owner.

The 102,864-square-foot shopping center, anchored by an 81,718-square-foot Kroger store, has been acquired by Sterling Organization from a seller represented by JLL Capital Markets. Formerly known as Cherokee Plaza, Marketplace on Buckhead was built in 1958 and underwent renovations in 1997 and 2013.

Neither the seller nor the purchase price was not announced.

According to JLL, the property, located along Peachtree Road, features a weighted average tenure of approximately 25 years, and 89% of the tenants are nationally recognized brands that include Kroger, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Willy’s Mexicana Grill, Salon Lofts and more. The property's historical occupancy has been 100% for over a decade.

Median household income within one mile of Marketplace at Buckhead is $137,775.

“Demand for high-quality retail centers remains exceptionally strong, especially for grocery-anchored opportunities,” said Jim Hamilton, senior managing director at JLL Retail Capital Markets. “Marketplace at Buckhead was one of the most highly sought-after retail centers that we’ve marketed this year due to the infill and irreplaceable location, high-income demographics and significant cash flow growth potential.”

Buckhead offers residents a number of luxury shopping options, including Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. Marketplace at Buckhead is located one mile away from both shopping malls, and four miles away from the midtown and downtown sections of Atlanta.

Sterling Organization and its affiliates, own and manage more than 73 properties across the U.S. with more than 12 million square feet of primarily retail real estate, estimated to be worth over $2 billion in value.

Macy’s customers have a new digital destination designed to streamline their holiday shopping.

The department store retailer is offering “Gifts We Love,” a curated list featuring beauty, home, toys, accessories and other gift categories. “Gifts We Love” is now available to shop on the Macy’s e-commerce site and mobile app, as well as at select Macy’s stores nationwide.

Curated categories include product selections in the luxury, kitchen/cooking, self-care, cold weather accessories, and Macy’s gift cards. The retailer is also partnering with the Toys ‘R’ Us Geoffrey’ Hot Toy List for 2023 for its children’s category. In addition, Macy’s provides customized online product guides via its Gift Finder tool.

“Macy’s is the ultimate gifting destination. Customers come to us for inspiration, trends and value on a wide range of stylish gifts for the entire family,” said Dana Avidan Cohn, director of editorial at Macy’s. “This year, we’ve curated a selection of products in our ‘Gifts We Love’ list featuring must-have brands, trends and in-demand items that everyone will love this holiday season.”

Macy’s brings holidays to the metaverse

As the fall progresses, Macy’s will incorporate the holiday season into mstylelab, its new shoppable metaverse environment. As a start, the current activation (a surreal virtual New York City experience) will shift to showcase the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Editor’s Note: Photo courtesy of Business Wire.

The discounts are getting deeper at Aldi as the holidays approach.

Starting Nov. 1 and lasting through the end of 2023, Aldi will offer price reductions of up to 50% on items across the store. These items include seasonal food items like gravy, potatoes, green beans, cranberries and pumpkin pie, as well as staples such as butter and flour.

With these extra savings, Aldi says it expects shoppers will be able to afford to invite three more guests to their annual feast. Walmart is also offering substantial discounts on Thanksgiving meal baskets that will run through Dec. 26.

According to Aldi, its customers typically ave up to 40% on their grocery bills compared to traditional supermarkets and more than 15% compared to big-box discounters. The retailer has been number one for price according to the Dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index Report for six years running,

“Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and we’re so grateful for our many loyal customers from coast-to-coast,” said Dave Rinaldo, president of Aldi. “With inflation still looming, we're providing shoppers extra relief to make the holidays a time for celebration, not stress. What’s served on the Thanksgiving table is just as important as who’s sitting around it, so Aldi is delivering big savings on key items so there’s always room for more guests.”

Aldi operates roughly 2,200 stores across 38 U.S. states. 

South African independent retailers and brands will soon have a new online commerce option.

Amazon is launching Amazon.co.za in 2024, providing South African-based sellers the ability to reach customers across the country starting next year. Starting Oct. 17, 2023, independent sellers in South Africa can register their businesses on sell.amazon.com/south-africa.

“We look forward to launching Amazon.co.za in South Africa, providing local sellers, brand owners, and entrepreneurs—small and large—the opportunity to grow their business with Amazon, and delivering great value and a convenient shopping experience for customers across South Africa,” said Robert Koen, GM of the Sub-Saharan Africa region for Amazon.

Amazon actively assists third-party retailers to sell on its e-commerce platform with at least 150 tools and services, and regularly adds new offerings. These include the recent introduction of a revamped version of its Account Health Rating, designed to help its 2 million third-party sellers adhere to Amazon’s policies and maintain positive account activities.

Some of the company’s other offerings for third-party sellers include a hosted distribution center solution called Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD), which is designed to provide low-cost, long-term storage that gives sellers the option to store their inventory in Amazon distribution centers and then seamlessly replenish to Amazon fulfillment centers. The e-tail giant is supporting the service with new, purpose-built facilities for bulk storage and automated distribution.

Rite Aid, which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has been on Fitch’s Top Market Concern Bond list since November 2022.  Two experts from the firm weigh in on the filing.

David Silverman, senior director, retail, Fitch Ratings

"Rite Aid’s bankruptcy filing follows years of challenged operating performance, a weakening competitive position particularly against larger peers, elevated financial leverage and limited cash flow, which has limited Rite Aid’s ability to invest in its business and stabilize market share. The company’s bankruptcy plan would turn some creditors into equity holders, reducing debt and cash interest expense. Lower cash interest could allow Rite Aid to increase its investment in strategic initiatives. Conversely, the company also plans to close a number of its existing store base. A smaller footprint could leave an already structurally challenged Rite Aid further weakened in terms of competing for inclusion in pharmaceutical networks and negotiating with vendors and partners."

Judah Gross, senior director, leveraged finance, Fitch Ratings

"In connection with the filing, and in order to provide adequate liquidity for the duration of the bankruptcy process, Rite Aid is seeking court approval to enter into DIP facilities totaling $3.45 billion, consisting of a $2.85 billion ABL facility, a $400 million FILO term loan facility and a $200 millio  term loan facility. The company envisions a restructuring where ABL and DIP term loan claims will be repaid in full in cash and secured note lenders will receive either 100% of the new common stock in the reorganized company if Rite Aid is to emerge or cash proceeds pursuant to a waterfall if Rite Aid is to be sold in bankruptcy."

California Pizza Kitchen is adding several customer-centric features to its mobile app for consumers.

The pizza chain, which opened its first location in 1985, in Beverly Hills, Calif., and became renowned for the BBQ Chicken Pizza made by Spago’s pizza chef Ed LaDou, is rolling out an upgraded version of its mobile app.

Starting Monday, Oct. 16, customers who download or update the retailer’s free app will receive easier access to their rewards, a pay by mobile feature for faster check out in-restaurant, new personalized promotional offers, and access to exclusive weekly specials.

To celebrate the release of the updated app, California Pizza Kitchen is providing members of its loyalty program with weekly rewards through Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. The exclusive offers include free menu items, bonus points, and discounts for future purchases. The exclusive perks appear automatically in the app wallet, allowing customers to take advantage of the offers immediately.

“We are always looking for new ways to enhance the California Pizza Kitchen customer experience,” said Ashley Ceraolo, senior VP of marketing at California Pizza Kitchen. “Our new app allows our loyalty members to not only enjoy our innovative California-inspired menu items, but also provides them with new easy-to-use features for more customization, faster payment, and exclusive access to special offers.”

The updated mobile app can now be downloaded in the app store. Other fast casual restaurant retailers, including Sweetgreen and Panera, have also recently enhanced the functionality of their consumer apps.

Editor's Note: The photo of the California Pizza Kitchen app is courtesy of Business Wire.