Acme Style

 

News Break: 

FTC Approves Albertsons/Safeway Merger

The approval was finally announced yesterday. The deal will be done in just a few days. Time will tell what changes will be coming to Acme in the coming months and years. I'm guessing one eventual casualty will be the "Essential Everyday" brand. Hoping for more investment in stores. While improvements are currently being made at numerous locations, much needed full-scale remodels are few and far between. You can read more about the FTC approval at Progressive Grocer by clicking here.

Media Acme "Grand Reopening"?

Turns out it wasn't so grand. The store was not completely remodeled. Apparently the biggest change was the removal of the first grocery aisle to expand the Produce department. Other areas were rearranged but the store kept the Industrial Circus decor. You can see a few pictures on Delaware County New Network by clicking here. More details of the changes to the store can be found on Delaware County Daily Times by clicking here. Too bad they didn't spring for the "Quality Built" decor for this store. Media can be seen on the blog by clicking here. 

Chestertown Acme to Reopen in February! 

Acme reported on its Facebook page that the expanded and remodeled Chestertown, MD store is scheduled to reopen next month. A customer had left a message on their page complaining about the lack of heat in the store. Apparently there was none whatsoever. The customer felt particularly bad for the employees. Acme assured them the store will be completed very soon. I hope to get down there in the Spring to cover the store for the blog. 

Former Rockaway Acme

to become Nordstrom Rack 

In case you missed the numerous comments left on the blog, the abandoned Acme in Rockaway will become a Nordstrom Rack in the Fall. You can read about it on MarketWatch.com by clicking here. I continue to be surprised that neither Whole Foods or Trader Joe's are interested in opening in the shopping center. Trader Joe's has been eyeing a location in Randolph but that has apparently fallen through. Whole Foods is planning a store in Parsippany but the zoning issues may keep the store from being built.

Acme Sued For "Fresh Baked" Claim

And they're not alone. Whole Foods and Wegmans have been named in the lawsuit as well. The issue is "fresh baked" apparently leads customers to believe that the bakerd goods are made from scratch at the store when in fact they're delivered frozen and rebaked. I can't imagine many people believe that bakery products are made from scratch in these stores. It's not like you see bakery employees covered in flour from head to tow like you do at a real bakery. Looks like it will be up to a court to decide. You can read more about the lawsuit at bizjournals.com by clicking here.