Newswatch 2010-01-25 (2)

NASH FINCH TAKES RETAIL CHARGE

MINNEAPOLIS — Nash Finch Co. here said it would record a significant writedown of goodwill in its retail segment following “soft” fourth-quarter sales. “There is approximately $69.9 million of retail goodwill on the company's balance sheet and subject to the completion of appraisals that are under way, the company expects that a significant portion will likely be written off,” Nash Finch said in a statement. Quarterly EBITDA results would come in below the same period a year ago, when adjusted for the 53rd week in the 2008 fiscal year, Nash Finch added. The company will report results for the quarter, which ended Jan. 3, on March 4.

MEIJER'S DEBUTS SMALLER CONCEPT

NILES, Ill. — Meijer's smaller grocery-focused store had its grand opening here last week, and the retailer announced plans to build another store like it in nearby Orland Park. Meijer, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., said the new store in Niles — at 102,000 square feet, about half the size of its typical superstores — is more food and pharmacy focused than its supercenters and features a particular emphasis on offerings geared toward local ethnic audiences including Asian, Eastern European and Hispanic. Meijer said it expected to begin construction of a new store in Orland Park within weeks, and said it would open the store later this year.

PORTLAND UNION, GROCERS AGREE

PORTLAND, Ore. — Union workers at Albertsons, Fred Meyer and Safeway stores here reached a tentative agreement with the chains on a four-year contract. Leaders of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 here recommended their members approve the new contract in voting scheduled late last week. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that provides fair terms and conditions of employment for our associates,” Fred Meyer spokeswoman Melinda Merrill said in a statement.

BLOOM OPENS INSIDE DC BELTWAY

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion's Bloom format, with several locations in northern Virginia and Maryland, has opened its first store inside the Washington Beltway. The new location in Annandale, Va., opened last week, according to a company spokeswoman. Bloom also confirmed that its store in nearby Ashland, Va., would close on or before Feb. 15. The Ashland store opened in late 2008.

FRESHDIRECT OFFERS BARGAIN WINES

NEW YORK — Internet grocer FreshDirect here said Tuesday that it is now offering its shoppers a selection of 20 wines priced at under $20 a bottle through its ongoing partnership with Union Square Wine & Spirits. The “Top 20 Under $20” program helps shoppers find quality wines that complement FreshDirect's wide array of fresh foods, cheeses, breads, fruits and chef-prepared meals, the companies said.

BROOKSHIRE EXITS JACKSON MARKET

JACKSON, Miss. — Brookshire Grocery Co. plans to exit this market through the sale of two of its stores here and the closure of two others, the company confirmed. A spokesman for Brookshire told SN that two locations in the city of Jackson would close in the middle of next month and that the company has a contract to sell two stores in Flowood and Ridgeland, Miss. Local reports said Kroger Co., Cincinnati, has agreed to buy the latter two stores. Kroger could not be reached for comment.