Top Grocery Satisfaction Survey Results Announced

Publix Super Markets Inc and Whole Foods Market Inc were the top-rated U.S. supermarket chains in 2010, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.  Publix has led the category every year since 1994. Roughly 2,000 consumers polled during the fourth-quarter of 2010 gave Publix a rating of 84. Whole Foods, which has been luring new customers with its focus on value and selection, rose 4 percent to 79.  Kroger Co., Supervalu Inc., Safeway, and Wal-Mart Stores round up the top list.  

Reuters

Office Max Posts Profit, Lower Sales

Total sales were $1.76 billion in the quarter, a decrease of 2.4 percent from the prior year's fourth quarter. Net income for the quarter was $12.1 million compared with a net loss of $3.24 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. Retail segment sales decreased 1.1 percent to $852.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2010, OfficeMax opened one Retail store in Mexico and closed two Retail stores in the U.S.

Twice

Bull's-Eye for Target, New Urban Format

Target Corp. is set to make its debut in Chicago's Loop, cementing State Street as a boulevard of bargains.  The discount chain's new urban format is smaller than a typical Target store and will stock fresh food, apartment essentials and clothing. The deal gives Target a foothold in the heart of downtown Chicago as the retailer looks to expand into the nation's cities.  The store, called CityTarget, is slated to open next year at the landmark Sullivan Center at 1 S. State St., where Carson Pirie Scott & Co. had operated for more than a century.

Chicago Tribune

Canadian Tire Profit Rises, Misses Estimates

The national hardgoods retailer's shares profit rose on improved margins and lower interest costs, but a change in the tax treatment of stock options had an impact of about 10 Canadian cents a share on after-tax earnings.  Fourth-quarter earnings at Canadian Tire rose to C$181.1 million from C$96.2 million a year earlier. Gross operating revenue rose 4 percent to C$2.54 billion, with growth in all segments.  The company operates about 482 Canadian Tire stores across the country as well as gasoline bars and the Mark's Work Wearhouse apparel chain.

Reuters Canada

Systeme U Reports Modest Sales Growth

Systeme U has reported a modest rise in sales for 2010, and has revealed ambitious growth plans for the medium term. For the year, sales grew by 5% to €15.2bn (up 6.7% to €19.4bn including fuel). Group President Serge Papin said the group will aim to have a network of 2,000 stores, up from 1,407 at the end of 2010. The group said it also plans to revamp its product offer, and will aim to make them healthier. 

Kam City

Coop Reports Solid Profits, Sales Growth In 2010

The Coop supermarket chain has reported a solid rise in profits and sales for 2010. During 2010, sales were up 1.6% to 19bn Swiss francs (bn), while net profit rose by 9% to 470m francs, and operating profit rose by 15.4% to 709m francs. The group's local unit of The Body Shop saw sales grow by 8.4% to 31m francs when it was consolidated. The as-yet unconsolidated TransGourmet Group saw sales grow by 6.6% to 6.2bn, while the Coop Vitality drugstore chain saw sales grow by 10.8%, and the Coop Mineralöl fuel station operator saw sales rise by 9.8%. 

Kam City

Supermarkets to Develop into Local Energy Hubs

Supermarkets designed to go 'off-grid' may also offer a glimpse into a future where retail outlets act as local energy hubs. A Waitrose store in the Isle of Wight in southern England is due to open a biomass power plant later this year. The Waitrose store will be fuelled by locally sourced woodchips that will supply the building's electricity, cooling and heating needs. The store has also been designed with extra capacity, so as to have the potential to supply heat to local housing and becoming an energy hub. Energy efficiency measures and onsite renewable technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in supermarkets around the UK.

Online PR Media

SPAR Reports Solid Sales

The SPAR Group has reported solid but unspectacular sales for its most recent quarter, with growth up 9.5% to 9.6bn rand. SPAR noted, "The performance has reflected strong volume growth but has been impacted by low food inflation. These factors, coupled with a highly competitive trading environment have had some effect on the group's profitability for the period". 

Kam City