Supermarket News

Elliot Zwiebach

Retail/Financial Reporter

Supermarket News

Articles by Elliot Zwiebach

New Entries Shift Houston’s Retail Landscape

The opening last week of nine of the 30 Aldi stores planned for Houston over the next two years and the imminent entry of The Fresh Market there means competition for the city’s conventional operators is likely to escalate.

Turbulence in the Los Angeles Market 2

The Southern California market could be in for a big shake-up over the next few years — one not necessarily attributable to an earthquake.

Newcomers Establish a Presence in Sacramento

Sacramento, Calif., may become one of the most competitive markets in the U.S., if the industry’s recent interest in moving and expanding there is any indication.

Belle Foods Shifts to More Part-Timers 2

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Belle Foods here plans to reduce its full-time work force and utilize more part-time employees, the company told SN.

Family Dollar Moves Groceries Back

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores here said Wednesday it plans a new store layout that will move home and apparel items to the front of the store, ahead of food items.

Bashas’ Eases Back Into Expansion

Bashas’ here is contemplating opening its first new store in more than three years on the Navajo Nation, most likely in 2014, Edward N. Basha III told SN last week.

Reunited Albertsons Veterans Seen Returning Company to Its Roots

BOISE, Idaho — Reuniting personnel from the Albertsons divisions that were split between Supervalu and Albertsons LLC offers the promise of better things to come, industry observers told SN.

A Fresh Start at Supervalu 2

MINNEAPOLIS — For Supervalu, it should become clear by the fall whether the new management team is getting the company moving in a more positive direction, industry observers told SN.

Supervalu Returns to Wholesaler, Save-A-Lot Focus

MINNEAPOLIS — For the reconstituted Supervalu, the outlook is brighter, though challenges remain, industry observers told SN.

Deal Said Near for Fresh & Easy 6

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Philip Clarke, the chief executive of United Kingdom-based Tesco, may be coming to the U.S. next week to talk with potential buyers for the company’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market chain, according to published reports.

NGA Suggests Customer Feedback Tactics

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Grocers Association here has issued a white paper suggesting ways store managers can use customer feedback to improve the way they operate their stores.

Supervalu Plans Retailer Advisory Council 2

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu here plans to form an advisory council comprised of retail customers, one of those customers told SN this week.

Safeway to Install Health Kiosks

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway here said it will install self-service health kiosks at more than 700 stores later this year — a program it said is unrelated to the company's pending wellness initiative.

AWG Sales Rise 1% in 2012

KASNAS CITY, Kan. — Associated Wholesale Grocers here said sales for its most recent fiscal year hit a new high of $7.85 billion, up 1% over the preceding year.

Dollar General Sees Trading Down Continue 1

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General Corp. here said Monday it expects to reap ongoing benefits from its ability to serve economically challenged consumers.