Pilot Pen G2 Edge

Issue 08-12-2013

Detroit retail revival

DETROIT — Although the city may have declared bankruptcy recently, mass market retail has not given up on Detroit. Meijer Inc. has opened its 203rd supercenter here, its first in the city. Although the city may have declared bankruptcy recently, mass market retail has not given up on Detroit. Meijer Inc. has opened its 203rd

Spartan Stores, Nash Finch to merge

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spartan Stores Inc. and Nash Finch Co. have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction valued at about $1.3 billion. Spartan Stores Inc. and Nash Finch Co. have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction valued at about $1.3 billion. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the

A&P is weighing strategic options

MONTVALE, N.J. — A little over a year after emerging from bankruptcy protection, grocery chain A&P is apparently looking for a buyer. A little over a year after emerging from bankruptcy protection, grocery chain A&P is apparently looking for a buyer. According to The Wall Street Journal, in an internal memo sent to employees in

Walmart scraps plans for Washington stores

WASHINGTON — Walmart has abandoned plans for three stores here, following the city council’s passage of a measure that would require big retailers to pay starting wages 50% higher than the district’s minimum wage. Walmart has abandoned plans for three stores here, following the city council’s passage of a measure that would require big retailers

Investment firm will take control of ALCO

ABILENE, Kan. — ALCO Stores Inc. has agreed to merge with the private investment firm Argonne Capital Group LLC. ALCO Stores Inc. has agreed to merge with the private investment firm Argonne Capital Group LLC. A general merchandise retailer that operates 213 stores in small towns across 23 states, ALCO says the $47 million deal

Customers bullish about Trader Joe’s

BOULDER, Colo. — Trader Joe’s Co. is North America’s favorite grocery store based on customer satisfaction, according to a new survey conducted by Market Force Information. Trader Joe’s Co. is North America’s favorite grocery store based on customer satisfaction, according to a new survey conducted by Market Force Information. Publix Super Markets Inc. and Whole

Wellness65+ connects Rite Aid, seniors

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. has launched its wellness65+ loyalty program for people over 65 with an integrated marketing campaign. Rite Aid Corp. has launched its wellness65+ loyalty program for people over 65 with an integrated marketing campaign. The marketing effort is built on Rite Aid’s promise to deliver personalized service that helps

Supervalu unit loses president

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Bob Bly has stepped down as president of the Shoppers food and drug chain to pursue new opportunities. The Supervalu Inc. division will be led on an interim basis by vice president of merchandising Bob Gleeson and vice president of operations Micky Nye. Bob Bly has stepped down as president of

It’s time for retail to fight back

In ways too numerous to mention, retailing is its own worst enemy. In ways too numerous to mention, retailing is its own worst enemy. How else to explain the fact that the most significant and most positive contributor to the U.S. economy is constantly in the news for its overreactions, the mistakes it makes, its

Loyalty cards aren’t only road to value

The decision by Albertsons LLC and its component supermarket chains — Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Markets — to phase out loyalty cards revives the long-standing debate about the value of that particular marketing tool. The decision by Albertsons LLC and its component supermarket chains — Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Markets —