As Walmart continues to get bigger, it is continuing to grow ever smaller. The company said it plans to double the number of small-format stores it expects to open in the U.S. this year to between 270 and 300 — a mix that will include between 160 and 180 Neighborhood Markets and between 110 and 120 Walmart Express locations.
Kroger Co. grew its store count by more than 200 units through the purchase of Harris Teeter, and that promises to be an acquisition that keeps on giving.
Publix Super Markets is ramping up new-store growth in the Charlotte market, but also continuing to open stores in its existing markets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee.
After more than 25 years of flirting with a major entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, H-E-B may find its way there if the pending merger of Albertsons and Safeway results in store divestitures within the Tom Thumb chain, according to some industry observers.
After a relatively quiet year of new-store investment in its Save-A-Lot division, Minneapolis-based Supervalu is ramping up expansion this year with 65 new locations planned (along with about 30 planned closures).
After opening six stores last year — its most aggressive single-year expansion in recent history — Meijer anticipates up to 12 openings this year, most of which are likely to be in Wisconsin, according to industry observers.
The Wakefern/ShopRite cooperative has been enjoying robust growth for several years, and stands to ramp up that even further with the recent decision to open up the PriceRite banner to individual members.
With more than 1,200 stores east of Kansas City, Mo., and in Texas, Aldi is turning its attention westward in an effort to become a coast-to-coast operator.
When Safeway decided to sell off its Dominick’s stores earlier this year, Mariano’s jumped in and picked up 11 stores. With five additional stores previously scheduled to open this year and 13 existing stores, Mariano’s expects to end the year with 29 stores.
After stumbling in an ambitious growth plan that saw The Fresh Market expand from its core markets in the Southeast across the country to Texas and California, the Greensboro, S.C.-based company is rethinking its expansion.
