The first “Giant to Go” — the regional grocer’s entry into the convenience format — is planned for a retail development in Manheim Township, PA. “The 4,422-square-foot store will sell produce, meat, deli and bakery items, as well as host eight fuel pumps outside.” Convenience Store News (Sept. 18, 2008)
Safeway will begin making two of its own-label brands — “O Organics” and “Eating Right” –- available in other retail chains, and believes that the brands have the potential of generating $1 billion in sales in the next few years. Brandweek Cited on MorningNewsBeat.com Brandweek (Sept. 12, 2008)
A new study by BigResearch reveals that increasing numbers of consumers are eschewing shopping as a leisure activity and rather combining shopping trips with their daily commutes to work. “Drastic changes in shopping behavior call for drastic changes in marketing methods,” according to one observer. Progressive Grocer (Sept. 10, 2008)
Stores in Gulfport, Miss., and Lafayette, La. have re-opened and a spokesman for the company said that other affected stores are scheduled to re-open over the weekend. Publishers Weekly (Sept. 5, 2008)
The Framingham, Massachusetts-based office supply retailer was hurt by slowing sales in the U.S. AP via The New York Times (Sept. 3, 2008)
The bookseller was up against a tough comparisons with last July’s release of the final installment in the “Harry Potter” series. Despite the drop, B&N beat analysts’ expectations. The Wall Street Journal (Aug. 21, 2008) Paid subscription may be required.
Dunkin’ Donuts and Procter & Gamble are testing RFID and other technologies that will enable them to target ads to consumers based on their just-made, in-store purchases. Dunkin’ will invite morning coffee purchasers back for an afternoon coffee break, while P&G will recommend hair conditioners based on the particular brand of shampoo a customer has [...]
Sales are down overall, but less-than-$25 purchases are holding up a lot better than $600-plus purchases. “The bifurcation between low ticket and high ticket has become more dramatic,” according to one industry observer. The New York Times (Aug. 20, 2008)
Tomorrow the Magazine Publishers of America will begin testing a retail promotion that rewards purchasers of two or more magazines in Meijer stores in five midwestern states with a $2 discount on their next purchase at the store. Folio: (Aug. 18, 2008)
Delhaize-owned Sweetbay Supermarket has joined rival Publix in adopting an aggressive low-price message with consumers in Florida’s competitive grocery trade. Sweetbay will employ “Sweet Deal” labels on EDLP items, and “Sweet Sale” labels for limited-time offers. Publix earlier dubbed its EDLP items “Essentials.” Supermarket News (Aug. 18, 2008)�