Retail Daily

Casey’s General Stores has purchased Wow! Foodmart and its affiliated retail portfolio. Both fresh and frozen seafood experienced noticeable drops in unit sales in December. And Irish convenience retailer Applegreen is selling its gas station business in the United Kingdom and will use the proceeds from the transaction, in part, to invest in its business in the United States.

Consumers are bracing for another year of tough inflation. Kimberly James has joined Amazon to lead the U.S. convenience categories for its cashierless Amazon Go stores. And Family Dollar’s chief merchandising officer will be stepping down.

The California Fuels & Convenience Alliance is working with the Fuel Relief Fund amid the Palisades and Hurst wildfires. The union representing Costco workers says executives at the warehouse retailer “abruptly ended” collective bargaining negotiations. And there are more nonalcohol beverages to choose from this Dry January.

Grocery stores throughout Los Angeles County evacuate as wildfires destroy thousands of structures. Grocery chains and c-stores take a hit with the rise in popularity of GLP-1 drugs. And THC-infused products are now available on DoorDash.

Trader Joe’s announces a dozen new stores. The Biden Administration’s move to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes advances. And Albertsons reports stronger-than-expected earnings in Q3.

The City of Chicago takes a pass on launching its own grocery store. Bird flu sends the price of eggs skyrocketing. And the National Association of Truck Stop Operators gets a new interim CEO.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sues Walmart. QuikTrip opens its sixth store in metro Houston. And the elimination of Kansas’ grocery store tax has Missouri grocers worried.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration issues a final rule to update which food can be labeled healthy, Pilot celebrates the opening of a new convenience store, and Atlanta provides over $8 million for two new grocery stores located in food deserts.

Dollar Tree names a permanent CEO, Walmart tests the use of body cameras on workers, and the FDA warns retailers and manufacturers for selling unauthorized e-cigarette products.

Global convenience company Seven & i Holdings plans to open 500 new stores in the U.S. and Canada through 2027. ChargePoint and General Motors are partnering to install hundreds of ultra-fast electric vehicle charging ports across the U.S. And total food and beverage sales were up 12.4% in November year-over-year.

Weis Markets is buying Saylor’s Market. Lisa Mulling is stepping away from the National Association of Truck Stop Operators. And QuikTrip opens another store in Texas.

Albertsons lawsuit against Kroger over the failed $24.6 billion merger is unsealed, EVgo receives $1.25 billion to build 7,500 charging stations, and Philip Morris International’s subsidiary Swedish Match North America will pay $1.2 million to resolve allegations that the company facilitated the sale of tens of thousands of flavored products in Washington D.C. 

The challenges for Kroger continue in the wake of its failed merger with Albertsons. Jacksons Food Stores has acquired the retail, wholesale and transportation assets of Hi-Noon Petroleum. And Greg Finchum will become the new president of Food Lion.

Sheetz and IONNA have formed a strategic partnership for electric vehicle charging. The Federal Trade Commission is suing Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. And Foxtrot Café and Market is reopening two Dallas locations in January.

Judges in Oregon and Washington reject the proposed $24.6 billion merger of Kroger and Albertsons. The Wills Group has named a new chief financial officer. And meal-kit company HelloFresh is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Walgreens could be sold to private-equity firm Sycamore Partners early next year. AMCON Distributing has acquired Arrowrock Supply. And lean principles have started to produce real results for United Natural Foods Inc.

Walgreens closed 58 locations in November. Foxtrot is facing $3.8 million in back wage and benefits payments. And more than 8,000 grocery workers at Giant Eagle and Heinen’s approved new contracts.

Loblaw’s reaches a new-store milestone.  Alimentation Couche-Tard plans three new Circle K distribution centers. And raw milk gets recalled due to possible bird flu contamination.

Kroger might call it quits on M&A if its proposed Albertsons merger fails. Food Lion President Meg Ham announces her retirement. And the FDA is hot on the trail of retailers selling unauthorized e-cigarettes.

Dollar Tree reports promising Q3 earnings results. VillageMD CEO and co-founder Tim Barry resigns. And 7-Eleven could go public.

United Natural Foods Inc. announces another round of layoffs. 7-Eleven returns to Arizona after a quarter century. And a Swedish tech company puts salad bar bandits on notice.

Trader Joe’s sues Joe’s Wine Co. Applegreen makes a big bet on the U.S. market. And c-stores are the new fast food.

A Market Force Information study reveals who is leading the charge when it comes to holiday purchases. Renewable fuel dispenser company Cyclum plans to build 400 travel centers nationwide. And pouches of tortilla strips sold at several grocers have been recalled.

Couche-Tard remains confident in its ability to finance and complete the proposed acquisition of Seven & i Holdings. Boar’s Head unveiled a new Food Safety and Quality section on its website. And Parkland Corp. plans to add about 100 stores over the next three years.

New Seasons Market grocery workers are planning a one-day strike on the day before Thanksgiving. Nouria Energy opens a new store with an Italian restaurant. And there will likely be lower demand overall for fuel and convenience items this Thanksgiving, despite an increase in travel.