Food Emporium Sale Update

Crain's NY Business has released an update on the potential suitors for Food Emporium, citing some familiar names as potential buyers.  Mentioned were Christian Haub (former CEO A&P), Castimatidis (Gristedes), Whole Foods & Trader Joe's.   

What's at stake? Over 1,000 union jobs.

John Durso, president of Local 338, which represents 14 of the Food Emporium stores: "It is disappointing that the company put up one of its best assets for sale, but we will work with the successful bidder as long as it respects our collective bargaining agreement."

We'll be constantly updating our blog and members on any breaking news or developments during the sale process of Food Emporium.

Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120916/RETAIL_APPAREL/309169978

Supermarket News also released an update on the sale, pricing the chain at anywhere from $100-150 million.

Faith Hope Consolo, chairman of retail leasing and sales for Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, New York, described Food Emporium as having “exceptional” locations that could attract a range of uses. “This is Christmas come early for Trader Joe’s,” she said.

Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/aampp/ap-seeks-divest-nyc-chain-food-emporium#ixzz26jhamlpr

Related articles

• Alert: Notice to all UFCW 1500 Members Working for A&P/Pathmark

Alert: Notice to all UFCW 1500 Members Working for A&P/Pathmark

From Local 1500 President Bruce Both:

Notice to UFCW members working A&P-owned Supermarkets: 
September 14, 2012 

The leaders of UFCW and RWDSU Local Unions representing members at A&P/Pathmark and all A&P-owned supermarkets became aware today of a possible layoff plan that could impact our members.

This announcement comes after we were given commitments and assurances by the operational people of A&P that based on our concessions there should not be any further store closings or layoffs.

We believe that the push for increased operational savings comes from the investment bankers seeking, in all likelihood, to speed up the rate at which the bankers would recoup their investments.

We believe further that the funds raised through the sale of Food Emporium would not be put back into operations, but rather, will go to the investment bankers to reduce the loans that were made to the company on their behalf.

All union members at A&P have already sacrificed for this company, through concessions and our hard work. And, together, we will stand strong to rebuild the company – even when that means mobilizing against any threats to our members’ livelihoods.

 We call upon you to join with your union brothers and sisters to stand together in solidarity.

Your input in your stores and with your union representatives is crucial. Your commitment sends a strong message to the company that we will not sit back and let them cut jobs or violate commitments to it workers.

Tuesday Mornin' One-Liners: A N.Y. Walmart is Infested w/ Rodents, A&P to Localize Stores

Updated 5/29/12 11:58 PM 

UFCW Local 1189 will be having a union election at Aldi.

Fairway Market will be moving into an old Pathmark at Woodland Park, NJ.

The Record: Sam Martin: The man with the plan to save A&P.

Supermarket News takes a look at initiatives to help food deserts.

New York's Iron Workers have a new contract.

A new ShopRite opened in Baltimore, bringing 250 new jobs to the neighborhood.


Walmart shareholders were urged not to re-elect Mike Duke as CEO.  Meanwhile U.S. lawmakers are frustrated with Walmart's lack of cooperation in the Mexican bribery investigation.

The Walmart in Sullivan, New York, has failed its' 4th health inspection, the store is infected with rodents.  The store could shut down if they fail a 5th.

On April 25, inspectors found 9 pounds of defiled food, more than 1,000 fresh droppings behind the chips and snacks, and three dead mice carcasses. On March 2, mouse droppings and mouse trails were found around the soda, pet foods and bread aisle. On Jan. 3, inspectors found 35.9 pounds of defiled food and 1,000 fresh mouse droppings behind the peanut and snack racks.

The Business Insider asks if this is the 'Most Disgusting Store in the Country?'

The Chicago Tribune wonders what affect the Mexican bribery scandal will have on Walmart's annual company party.

More: Controversy looms on Walmart's 50th anniversary.

A&P is expanding "Localized Remodels" starting with the Food Emporium on the Upper East Side.

Supermarket News analyzes that fresh store formats are growing, while traditional supermarkets are shrinking...

The Minnesota Star Tribune's Jim Spencer wrote on Target in Valley Stream's re-vote: Union still faces difficult odds against Target.

Workday Minnesota loves writing about Target workers getting a re-vote in Valley Stream.

The highly scrutinized NLRB's Flynn resigned this weekend.  Earlier this year NLRB Inspector General issued reports which detailed Flynn dispersing detailed, confidential information about NLRB cases and procedures in order to discredit the National Labor Relations Board.

A Message from President Both

Image via WikipediaDecember 13, 2010

To: Local 1500 Members Employed by Pathmark
From: Bruce W. Both, President
Subject: Pathmark Bankruptcy


The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Inc. announced on Sunday, December 12, 2010 that it filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
A&P has secured an $800 million debtor-in-possession loan from JP Morgan Chase in order to keep operating.

Pathmark, which is part of A&P, will continue to conduct business as usual.

Further information will be forthcoming.

A&P Files for Bankruptcy

Here are all the articles on A&P's Bankruptcy filing:

Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Press Release on Bankruptcy Filing: http://www.aptea.com/pressRoom_article.asp?id=216


New York Times: A&P Files for Bankruptcy Protection: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/business/economy/13grocer.html?src=busln

Supermarket News: http://supermarketnews.com/retail_financial/ap_bankruptcy/?cid=upd

FOX News: A&P Succumbs to Pressure, Files for Bankruptcy Protection: http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2010/12/13/ap-succumbs-pressure-files-bankruptcy/

Wall Street Journal: A&P Seeks Court Protection: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703380104576016163826716194.html

Wall Street Journal: A&P Files for Bankruptcy: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703380104576016163826716194.html?mod=WSJ_article_MoreIn_Business


Bloomberg News: A&P's Bankruptcy Filing May Prompt Ahold for Bid on Pathmark: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-13/a-p-bankruptcy-may-prompt-ahold-bid-for-pathmark-analysts-say.html

Business Week: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9K2O2RG0.htm


Public Radio: Historic A&P Files for Bankruptcy: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/12/13/am-historic-grocery-ap-filed-for-bankruptcy/

TickerSpy: http://www.tickerspy.com/newswire/?p=3747

NY Post: A&P's Food Fight: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/food_fight_SKmOXzkPTrBsSMquwsWcqN?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME

WSJ: Another Whack for Ron Burkle, A&P Files for Bankruptcy Protection: http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2010/12/10/another-whack-for-ron-burkle-ap-preps-bankruptcy/


Newsday: A&P, Waldbaum's file for Bankruptcy: http://www.newsday.com/business/a-p-waldbaum-s-seek-bankruptcy-protection-1.2537482

New Jersey Star Ledger:  http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/nj_grocer_ap_files_for_bankrup.html

NY Daily News: Lagging Grocers A&P, Pathmark, Food Emporium file for Bankruptcy http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/12/11/2010-12-11_grocer_lacks_green_ap_pathmark_food_emporium_face_bankruptcy.html

Patch: Pathmark, A&P Files Bankruptcy: http://southorange.patch.com/articles/pathmarks-corporate-owner-files-bankruptcy

Morning One Liners: Oct 17-19th

Image via Wikipedia
NY Daily News: Residents Cheer as Stop & Shop brings Fresh Food and Affordable Prices to Far Rockaway.

Wal-Mart wants to do what!? Wal-Mart seeks to stock up on more 'local produce'

More @ Bizmology

The Gawker, who is gearing up for Wal-Mart's crusade into 'urban markets' with smaller stores, is doing a series of posts entitled 'The Life at Wal-Mart, Workers Speak', where Wal-Mart workers send in their experiences at Wal-Mart.


Wal-Mart's smaller store format vs. Target's P-Fresh...Who wins in the smaller format spotlight?


Supermarket News covers the Gristedes bid on Food Emporium.

The Fresh Market opens their 100th store.

A&P has launched an Online Magazine...

Negotiations

Kroger and UFCW Local 75's negotiations are primarily focusing on Health Care.

On Friday, workers at 9 Loblaw Cos. stores approved a contract, averting a strike after they rejected the same deal one week prior.  More than 1,700 workers are affected by the agreement.

Friday Morning One Liners: Gristedes Makes a Push toward Food Emporium, Beef with Wal-Mart why not Target?

Castimatidis: “it's no secret that we have interest in [Food Emporium].”
According to a report from Crain's John Castimatidis, owner of Gristedes is apparently the front runner and highest bidder in the Food Emporium fire sale.

The Crain's article also comments on D'Agostino's struggles:

Separately, family-owned D'Agostino's grocery-store chain is selling its only three stores in Westchester, according to a company insider. Those stores, located in Chappaqua, Rye Brook and Cross River, have struggled against competitors like Whole Foods, Super Stop & Shop and others, said supermarket consultant Burt Flickinger.

Very interesting piece in the Wall Street Journal: In the Cities That Battle Wal-Mart, Target gets a Welcome.

The Gawker looks at what Wal-Mart would mean for New York.

A&P is shuttering stores today in Yorktown, NY, two others  in the Philadelphia area (Pathmark in Broomall, PA loses108 jobs lost & a SuperFresh in Hatfield, PA), another Pathmark in Millville, NJ where Wal-Mart has actually proposed to a 40,000 sqft store w/ grocery to fill the vacant space.

Some good news though, the UFCW Canada's victory at Saskatchewan Wal-Mart was upheld, unanimously, in court yesterday.



The Grand Opening and celebration party for the new Rockaway Stop & Shop is slated for October 21.

The Windsor Star: Strike continues to loom in second local Loblaw vote

Other Bargaining News:
Unionized workers at Walt Disney World voted against a proposed labor contract Thursday, despite the largest of the resort's unions coming out in support of the contract before the vote.


And in Politics Frank Padavan, out raises and is out spending Tony Avella.

Thursday News Afternoon: Is A&P Mulling the Sale of Food Emporium?

Wall Street Journal: A&P Mulls Selling Food Emporium Chain (subscription required)
A&P supermarket chain is considering selling its Food Emporium stores as part of a boarder effort to rid itself of some assets and boost its liquidity.


More at the New York Times


Egg Contamination: Grocers Getting The Word Out
Though media reports have made clear that none of the affected eggs were shipped to New York State, grocers such as Tops and Wegmans have gone out of their way to assure customers the eggs in their coolers are safe. 


Kroger Employees Agree to Sept. 15 Contract Extension
The contract affects about 1,900 workers who authorized their union to take any action necessary, up to and including a strike to reach a contract they feel is fair. 
 In New Jersey, and throughout New Yok, Shoppers are Dismayed at Pathmark's Closing News


Grocery Stores Increase Social Networking
 Wal-Mart and Target are fighting for the mantle of top supermarket chain with the most social media followers. "Each has added over 500,000 followers to Facebook in the last four months."


Upscale Grocery Store Approved
An application was approved for the Fresh Market in Montvale, New Jersey.  


Ithaca Journal: Planning Board OKs Aldi Store
Town of Vestal Planning Board members unanimously approved a proposed Aldi supermarket at Four Corners. 


UFCW Blog:  Giant Eagle Worker Arrested for Talking to other Workers on Her Own Time

Monday Morning One Liners...

Our UFCW brother Brian Petronella, the longtime president of the Westport-based UFCW, Local 371 and a leading figure in Connecticut labor and politics died suddenly Friday night. For more information please head to www.ufcw371.org.  This is a tragic loss for the UFCW, and Brian will be missed dearly.

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed a funding measure that includes a six-month extension of the enhanced federal funding level for state Medicaid programs. The measure passed last Thursday by a vote of 61-39.  More @ Supermarket News.

The FTC has ordered Tops to sell seven of their newly acquired Penn Traffic stores.

Action Alert: Tell Mott's: Get the scabs out of your apple sauce!

Crain's: While A&P sinks, rivals salivate.
The financial free fall of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.—owner of A&P, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, Waldbaum's and other chains—has its local rivals salivating. “We are just observing right now,” insists billionaire John Catsimatidis, who owns the Gristedes chain....

In related news Forbes reported last week that Barnes & Noble may be up for sale;
Billionaire Ron Burkle, who increased his ownership stake in Barnes & Noble last year to about 18 percent, has been battling with Riggio over changes he wants to see made to corporate governance in order to boost value. Burkle has said he isn't interested in a takeover but expects to propose a slate of three new directors at the next annual meeting, scheduled to be held by Sept. 30. Barnes & Noble officials have been concerned about an alliance between Burkle and Aletheia Research & Management Inc.,

More @ Gawker.

Please join Wake Up Walmart and the National Labor Committee in calling on Walmart to support a 35 cent per hour minimum wage for garment workers in Bangladesh.

WSJ: Changes in Flushing Set Off Food Fight:
The recent closure of a Key Food in Flushing was the last straw for many longtime residents, who say they feel ignored and isolated. Now, they are asking the new Asian market in the area to cater to them, too.

More @ the Gothamist.

The CCE (Citizens Campaign for the Environment) released their first Long Island Grocery Report on store's reusable bag policies.  The “B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Bag): Reusable Bag Policies at Long Island Grocery Stores” report, was done bye CCE staff who analyzed and evaluated reusable bag policies of fourteen Long Island grocery store chains.  Check out the release and how your supermarket faired in the report here.

Gristedes in Pelham Manor to Close: The Pelham Weekly reports that the store will close as soon as possible and even though Grocer John's is closing, Gristedes presence in Pelham Manor may not have come to an official end:“We were trying different experiments in hope of coming up with the correct formula,” said Mr. Catsimatidis. “And we may try and give it one more shot.”

B-Net: Target Focuses on Food, Not Fashion in East Harlem.

The new King Kullen in Island Park is moving forward...

King Kullen to close in Staten Island, Friday news...

Image via WikipediaHere's Obama on the Employee Free Choice Act.

King Kullen in New Dorp, Staten Island to shut doors next month.

Supermarket News covers the story.

"We are extremely concerned about our members who work in that store and will do everything within our power to minimize the effect this store closing has on them and their families," said Bruce Both, president of Local 1500.

Revenue at some Long Island City establishments is down as much as 70 percent, in large part due to recent weekend No. 7 line service interruptions and the closure of nearby Borden Avenue Bridge for repairs, according to several business owners interviewed by the Queens Chronicle this week.

Canada Wal-Mart asks High Court to dismiss store closure suit.

Stop & Shop Supermarket responds to the peanut butter recall.

Another New Jersey Wal-Mart opens [AC].

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. here said yesterday it would sell a line of "stylish, reusable" lunch bags at all its banners: A&P, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, SuperFresh and Waldbaum's.

Long Island lost 21,600 private-sector jobs in the 12-month period ended in December, compared with a year ago, marking the weakest local job market in 16 years, according to data released yesterday by the New York State Labor Department.


Politics

Patterson picks Gillibrand for Senate.

Rep Carolyn McCarthy knocks Patterson's selection.

Suozzi's future is in Albany.

Fresh Direct noise pollution, Whole Foods sued by Seattle, more Wednesday One Liners...

Image via Wikipedia

Gristedes Grocery magnate John Catsimatidis has toyed with running for mayor for months - focusing his run on bringing the World's Fair back to New York City in 2014.




AFTER six years of political skirmishing, labeling laws that are supposed to tell shoppers whether their tomatoes, apples or chicken are homegrown or imported have taken effect. The new law gives retailers until March 30 to label the country of origin for foods including fruits, vegetables, beef, lamb, chicken, goat meat, ginseng, peanuts, pecans and macadamia nuts. Until now, only seafood has been subject to the labeling rule.

NY1 writes on the noise pollution Fresh Direct creates.

An out-of-control driver crashed through the window of a Brooklyn supermarket Friday and plowed into an elderly woman at the checkout counter, authorities and witnesses said, the driver was a representative from UFCW Local 342.

The 4th Street Food Co-op in Manhattan’s lower east side is still hanging in there six months after the city’s biggest Whole Foods supermarket moved into the neighborhood.

The Daily News gives readers advice on where to get the Falls best fruits and vegetables.

Whole Foods is being sued in Seattle for halting construction of a new store.

C&S Wholesale Grocers in NH is laying off around 250 workers related to the loss of Big Y Supermarkets as a customer, reports said.
Read more of this story


 

One local union in Western Canada settled with Loblaw while two others are scheduled to vote on tentative contract settlements, United Food and Commercial Workers Canada said.
Read more of this story


 

The Food Emporium, A&P's New York City-based grocery chain, has signed on as an official sponsor and has been named the official gourmet specialty store of the 2008 ING New York Marathon, A&P officials told SN.
Read more of this story


 

New York and eight other states sued the Bush administration Thursday over federal rules on water dumped from ships, claiming there is an illegal loophole that could hurt fisheries and contaminate drinking water

Pathmark celebrates 40th anniversary, Solar Panels expanding in stores, Primary Results and Wednesday Morning One Liners...

Image via Wikipedia

Morning Read: 09/10/2008

All 139 Pathmark stores will celebrate the chain’s 40th anniversary this Saturday with special giveaways and discounts, according to A&P here.
Read more of this story

 

Online grocer FreshDirect has partnered with LaGuardia Community College to offer 60 plant workers free weekly English classes. The 30-hour program will end on Oct. 23.

The Food Emporium will host a “Taste of Africa” food sampling from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at its BridgeMarket store at 405 East 59th St.
Read more of this story

 

The New York Times writes about new grocery store trends.

Wal-Mart, Macy's, Kohl's, BJ's Wholesale Club, Target, Staples and Whole Foods are among the chains that have begun putting solar panels on their roofs.

As Wal-Mart Stores prepares to open its first Marketside locations in the Phoenix area, the company is reportedly scouting locations in Southern California as well, the Financial Times of London reported yesterday.
Read more of this story

 

Newsday writes on the continuing rise of food prices & declining fuel prices.

Wal-Mart is being sued for many violations in NJ.

The Dubai Balducci's is revolutionary for the Middle East, being cited as "unbelievable".

The Illinois Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued Wal-Mart in federal court on behalf of a Rockford woman who claims she was fired because she had epilepsy.

Politics

Here are the 2008 Primary Election results.

Mike McMahon, 74 percent
Steve Harrison, 26 percent

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver soundly beat challengers Paul Newell and Luke Henry by capturing 68 percent of the vote with 6,743 ballots. Newell received 2,301 votes and Henry 879.

McCain camp released an ad that claims Obama wants Sex Education for Kindergartners.

Interesting article on Palin, her plane and prepared comments.

Mayor Bloomberg is still mulling over term limits.

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A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election.
  - Bill Vaughan

Friday Morning One Liners....

Image via Wikipedia

A&P here went 1-for-3 in battles over website domain names for its Food Emporium banner, winning a judgment against the registrant of foodemporium.org, but losing similar arguments against the registrants of foodemporium.com and foodemporium.net, according to the National Arbitration Forum.
Read more of this story

 

A recent Whole Foods surveys concluded "Quality Trumps Price for Most Shoppers"

BJ's is opening a store in Red Hook....Brooklyn Papers.

More on Red Hook's new love for Big Box.

Ahold here said yesterday that a reluctance to pass along cost increases to customers contributed to a decline in profitability at the company, which operates the Stop & Shop, Giant of Landover and Giant of Carlisle chains in the U.S.
Read more of this story

 

Delhaize Group here said yesterday that its chief financial officer, Craig Owens, will leave the company to become the CFO and chief administrative officer for Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J., effective Sept. 30.
Read more of this story

 

Newsday Blog talks about the new Grace's in L.I.

A charge of unfair labor practice has been filed against the Covidien plant in Hobart regarding the termination of two employees, a union official said Wednesday.William Palmer and Daniel Whiteman were allegedly fired for a workplace safety violation, but Palmer said Wednesday he believes he was fired because he was backing the organization of a union at the plant.

Wal-Mart

Marketside, Walmart's (WMT) New Small Store Chain, Spotted Out In The Wild [ClusterStock]
It's everything Walmart isn't. A chain of smaller, friendlier stores with a neighborhood quality--providing fresh and prepared foods for higher prices.

Wal-Mart Prepares Residents for Gustav

Walmart has developed a game plan to transform more than 1,700 of its Garden Centers into "Game Time Headquarters," the company said Thursday. The customized areas will target supporters of local college and professional football teams. Beginning this week and running through Sept. 30, the Bentonville, Ark. giant will feature everything for football season, from team merchandise and decor to snacks and beverages

Political

Obama: I'm ready to beat McCain

Daily News (John Lauinger): Willets Pt. summit stirs new city & biz negotiation
A new round of talks is shaping up between the city and some of the largest businesses at Willets Point after State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) helped kick-start stalled negotiations, the Daily News has learned.

DAVE: HOW 'BOUT ANDY FOR MAYOR, NOT GOV?
Andrew Cuomo would be the "instant favorite" if he enters what is expected to be a crowded field for mayor next year, Gov. Paterson said yesterday.

Enjoy your weekend