News

Supervalu has found a buyer for its discount grocery business, Save-A-Lot.   Supervalu agreed to sell Save-A-Lot to Onex Corporation, a Toronto-based private equity firm, for $1.365 billion in cash. As part of the agreement, Supervalu will provide professional services to Save-A-Lot for five years.     The sale is expected to be completed by January 31, 2017, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.    

Inland’s ad tagline says the company’s “always buying.” One of the nation’s leading drugstore chains just found out how true that is.   Inland Real Estate Acquisitions announced that it has acquired 24 CVS pharmacy properties for $116 million. The stores are located in 14 states and add up to 276,466 sq. ft. of retail space.  

More than 200 million Americans will shop online this year. Statistically, nearly 10 million of those shoppers will be visually impaired, more than 10 million will have a hearing impairment and more than four million of those will have severe limitations to their dexterity. For these shoppers, many goods and services offered online might be out of their reach.   

Fast-casual eatery throws its hat into the mobile app arena.   Eager to take advantage of mobility, Shake Shack introduced a mobile app that includes an ordering platform. Designed on Apple’s iOS platform, the Shack App invites guests to place orders through their smart phone, and pick up meals at its “Midtown East Shack” in New York City. This single location test will be ongoing.   

Macy’s on Friday became the first department store retailer to open an in-store Apple shop.   The shop is located on the main floor of Macy’s New York City flagship in Herald Square. Similar to in-store Apple shops at Best Buy, it features light wood tables. The product line-up includes iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Apple watches.  

Clint Pierce is joining Shoe Carnival as its VP, divisional merchandise manager for athletic footwear.   Pierce, who will oversee the athletic footwear category for the entire enterprise, will report to Carl Scibetta, executive VP, chief merchandising officer.    Most recently, Pierce served as senior VP, general merchandise manager for footwear and apparel at Sports Authority.   

Warby Parker goes back to the future — design-wise at its new store in Seattle.   The design recalls the classic library-inspired aesthetic of the brand’s first-ever store in downtown Manhattan, and is outfitted with light oak shelving, spacious marble tabletops and brass detailing.   It also features exposed metal ceiling beams, concrete flooring and skylights.   

Neil Saunders, CEO of Conlumino, a New York-based retail research agency and consulting firm, offers the following insights on September sales results.