• The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Kroger "is eyeing a $225 million industrial project in metro Atlanta." The company, according to the story, "would need between 1 million and 1.5 million-square-feet for the development, including a distribution center, freezer component and truck maintenance facility. Kroger has considered the campus-like project for months, and it's scouted several properties on which it might develop, according to industrial real estate sources familiar with the plans."
• The Business Review reports that Golub Corp. has revealed the name of the new concept store that it is renovating out of an existing store in Latham, New York - Market Bistro by Price Chopper, which the company says will be a 87,000 square foot "celebration of food."
An existing store in Latham has been expanded and under renovation for 10 months to create the new Market Bistro, and should be done by the end of the year. CEO Jerry Golub says that unit will serve as a kind of laboratory where concepts can be tested exported to other units as appropriate.
• In western New York, the Democrat & Chronicle reports that Tops Friendly Markets is building a new prototype store described as having "a more compact interior design, greater attention to fresh foods like meats, produce and a bakery, along with a gas station on the premises." There are three of the new prototype under construction, with the first scheduled to open next spring.
• The Milwaukee Business Journal reports that Roundy's is expanding a Pick 'n Save program that includes "new customer service training for employees and new products with an emphasis on fresh meats and produce ... Bob Mariano, Roundy's chairman, president and CEO, said it was making the changes based on the success of the Mariano’s Fresh Market chain it introduced in the Chicago area in 2010. Produce has been a huge part of Mariano’s business model, along with enhanced customer service and higher staffing levels."
• USA Today reports that JC Penney has decided to dump the Martha Stewart products that its previous CEO - Ron Johnson, who was fired in April after consistently poor sales and profit results - believed would be key to its revival. Myron Ullman, the new CEO (who also was the old CEO, because he was replaced by Johnson before he replaced him) reportedly made the decision to drop the line.
JCP and Macy's are engaged in an ongoing legal battle over a pre-existing contract that Martha Stewart Omnimedia had with Macy's.
• The Business Review reports that Golub Corp. has revealed the name of the new concept store that it is renovating out of an existing store in Latham, New York - Market Bistro by Price Chopper, which the company says will be a 87,000 square foot "celebration of food."
An existing store in Latham has been expanded and under renovation for 10 months to create the new Market Bistro, and should be done by the end of the year. CEO Jerry Golub says that unit will serve as a kind of laboratory where concepts can be tested exported to other units as appropriate.
• In western New York, the Democrat & Chronicle reports that Tops Friendly Markets is building a new prototype store described as having "a more compact interior design, greater attention to fresh foods like meats, produce and a bakery, along with a gas station on the premises." There are three of the new prototype under construction, with the first scheduled to open next spring.
• The Milwaukee Business Journal reports that Roundy's is expanding a Pick 'n Save program that includes "new customer service training for employees and new products with an emphasis on fresh meats and produce ... Bob Mariano, Roundy's chairman, president and CEO, said it was making the changes based on the success of the Mariano’s Fresh Market chain it introduced in the Chicago area in 2010. Produce has been a huge part of Mariano’s business model, along with enhanced customer service and higher staffing levels."
• USA Today reports that JC Penney has decided to dump the Martha Stewart products that its previous CEO - Ron Johnson, who was fired in April after consistently poor sales and profit results - believed would be key to its revival. Myron Ullman, the new CEO (who also was the old CEO, because he was replaced by Johnson before he replaced him) reportedly made the decision to drop the line.
JCP and Macy's are engaged in an ongoing legal battle over a pre-existing contract that Martha Stewart Omnimedia had with Macy's.
- KC's View:
