Personnel Updates
• Albertsons Cos. named Guy Burgstahler its new VP of Advertising.
• Lidl appointed Michael Arnada, former CEO of Lidl Spain to lead the division that includes the US market.
• Rexall Drugstore named former Sobey’s division president Beth Newlands Campbell President of the company.
• The Wills Group Inc. named Julian B. (Blackie) Wills III President of The Wills Group’s retail-marketing unit, which includes Dash In Food Stores, Splash In Eco Car Wash, SMO Motor Fuels and Potomac Energy Holdings succeeding Melvin L. Strine.
Industry Insight
• BP will reintroduce its Amoco fuel brand at retail fuel sales nationwide.
• Publix Super Markets is testing curbside grocery pickup at two stores in the Tampa, FL market; Publix plans to expand the new curbside pickup service to the Atlanta market by the end of 2017.
• Roche Bros. plans to open its third mall-format Brothers Marketplace in spring 2018; the format specializes in everyday convenience and meal solutions.
Real Estate
• Aldi will spend $7 million to upgrade five of its stores in the Chattanooga area; the company also plans to open four new stores in New Jersey by 2018.
• Southeastern Grocers, parent company of BI-LO and Winn-Dixie, will continue the expansion of its Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket banners. Plans call for five new Fresco y Más stores in South Florida and three new Harveys Supermarkets in West Florida.
• SpartanNash spent $5 million at store locations in Rapid City, S.D., while rebranding two of its Family Thrift Center stores to Family Fare Supermarkets; remodeled stores feature SpartanNash’s Fast Lane click-and-collect service and improved produce, bakery, deli, meat and seafood departments.
• Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open nine new stores during its first quarter of 2019: three new stores in Arizona, two stores in New Mexico and one in California, Florida, North Carolina and Maryland.
Mergers and Acquisitions
• Berkshire Hathaway Inc. will acquire a 38.6% equity stake in Pilot Travel Centers LLC, doing business as Pilot Flying J, the companies have announced. Plans call for Berkshire to acquire significantly more of the company over the next ten years.
• Cardenas Markets has made a deal to acquire seven Los Altos Ranch Market stores in Arizona completely from co-owner Northgate Gonzalez Market. Northgate will continue to operate 40 stores in Southern California.
• Metro Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Jean Coutu drug chain for $4.5 billion.
