Grocery News In Brief…
Weis Markets in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, released its 2016 second quarter sales results, which showed a 1.7 percent increase, while its comparable store sales increased 1.8 percent vs. last year’s second quarter. Weis also reported the increase in its base hourly rate to $9 per hour and related wage compression increased costs by an estimated $2.8 million in the second quarter and $5.5 million year-to-date. Increased employee-related expenses were partially offset by savings realized from a store labor efficiency project. “Wage increase and Easter calendar shift aside, we continue to post solid results which we attribute to our long-term price investments, increasingly efficient logistics and improved customer experience.” said Jonathan Weis, chairman, president and CEO. “During the period, we saw a strong increase in customer traffic, which helped generate significant sales increases in produce, deli/foodservice and pharmacy.” Weis Markets recently announced plans to acquire 38 Food Lion stores in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware and five Mars Super Markets in Baltimore. The conversion of these stores to Weis Markets branded stores will begin in the third quarter of 2016…
To mark the start of the newly merged company, Ahold Delhaize earlier this week introduced its new visual identity, including a new logo and a new website, aholddelhaize.com. Ahold Delhaize was created from the merger of Ahold and Delhaize Group, which was announced on June 24, 2015, and became effective on July 24, 2016. Ahold Delhaize’s 22 local brands serve more than 50 million customers each week in 11 countries and has a combined workforce of more than 375,000 associates. Before the deal was completed, the companies announced the sale of a combined 86 stores to satisfy the Federal Trade Commission. Prior to the merger, Delhaize USA operated approximately 180 Hannaford stores in New England and 1,100 Food Lion stores, primarily in the Southeast. Ahold USA’s holdings included 216 Stop & Shop New England stores; 182 Stop & Shop Metro stores in New York and New Jersey; 169 Giant Landover stores; and 200 Giant Carlisle/Martin’s stores…
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is requesting proposals from food manufacturing, wholesale and/or distribution companies to lease 2.18 acres, including a built 27,000-s.f. industrial space in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center (HPFDC) in the Bronx. “We welcome any Request for Proposals (RFP) that will help in the continued growth of Hunts Point and the entire Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The Bronx is the home to perhaps the largest food market in the world, employing thousands of Bronxites and residents from all over the region. Finding more tenants for the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center not only creates and maintain jobs for The Bronx, it will reduce the cost to consumers by bringing food manufacturers and distributors closer to the food source while also providing restaurants with fresher products.”
