Five Retailers Named for Green Energy

The Retail Industry Leaders Association pointed out that three RILA members that are food retailers - Whole Foods Market, Wal-Mart Stores and Safeway - were named by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as being among the top 50 users of green power in the EPA's Green Power Partnership program.  Among the top 20 retail users of green energy were Whole Foods (2nd), Wal-Mart (5th), Safeway (8th), H.E. Butt Grocery (10th) and Giant Eagle (13th).

Supermarket News

Weis Water Goes Green

The bottles for Weis Quality 24-pack 20-ounce bottled water are now made with 100 percent recycled PET plastic, making Weis Markets the first supermarket company in the country to offer this environmentally friendly bottle.  In recent years, Weis Markets has expanded its sustainability program to make its stores more energy efficient and to reduce their carbon footprint. In 2011, it will open three new superstores that will use 60 percent less refrigerant than a typical American supermarket.

Progressive Grocer

Walgreens Rolls Out Private-label Beer

Walgreens Co. has entered the beer and wine business from both ends-selling it and making it. The drug-store chain launched its private-label beer called Big Flats 1901 starting last month.  The beer is stocked at more than 4,600 out of 7,655 U.S. units, and will eventually be available in every market where private-label liquor is legal. Big Flats 1901 sells for around 50 cents per can.

NACS Online

Blues City Thrift to Bring New Retail Concept to Memphis

It was the convergence of two very different needs that brought transplanted Memphians Amy Hoyt and Peter Baur together, but now the pair is working toward a single goal: the launch of Blues City Thrift.  The concept thrift store will operate with the sole mission of providing funding for area nonprofits.  The organization plans to keep its carbon footprint light in other ways, as well.  Blues City Thrift won't use plastic bags. And when it settles into a location, its fixtures will be recycled from other shuttered businesses.  

The Daily News

Axfood Reports Strong Results for FY

For the full year, group sales were up 5.8% to SEK34.3bn, with operating profit was up 7.2% to SEK321m. Sales at its Retail units were up 2.1% to SEK28.1bn, with company-owned outlets reporting a 2.7% rise.  The group saw growth at its Willys chain, which helped offset declines at Hemkop and PrisXtra.  Looking ahead, Axfood said it will continue to keep expanding its network, and plans to open 14 new outlets and refurbish 40 others.

Kam City

Sainsbury's Introduces In-store Energy Centres

Sainsbury's will initially roll out 30 Energy Centres, selling energy-efficient products; the first will be in a superstore in Crayford, near Dartford in Kent. An 'energy truck' will travel to offer advice at smaller stores.  The store concepts were developed with help from the Energy Saving Trust. The Centres will be staffed by specially trained personnel.

Marketing Magazine

Pets Corner Seeing Strong Growth, Targets 200 Stores

Pets Corner has revealed details of its last quarter results which saw the company reversing the general economic trends by achieving a rise in turnover of just under 30% to £5.8m with profit before tax increasing to £1.14m - a jump of 105% quarter on quarter.  The Sussex-based business now operates 62 stores in garden centres, supermarkets and their own sites. The company plans to grow at a rate of 15 stores per annum to 200 UK stores. 20 new or re-fitted stores have been launched in 2010 alone.

Kam City

Metro to Open 50 Wholesale Stores in Next Five Years in India

Metro AG, Germany's biggest retailer, plans to open as many as 50 wholesale stores in the next five years in India, matching the pace of the company's expansion in China, the world's fastest-growing major economy.  India, along with China and Russia, will be one of the top three markets for the German retailer in the coming years.

Live Mint