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GOURMET NEWS FEBRUARY 2016 www.gourmetnews.com RETAILER NEWS 1 7 Phillips Edison Acquires 4 Grocery-Anchored Centers Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II, Inc. has announced it has acquired four grocery-anchored shopping centers, ex- panding the company's portfolio in Ohio and Illinois. Amherst Marketplace is a 79,945 square foot grocery store-anchored shopping cen- ter in Amherst, Ohio, a suburb 34 miles east of downtown Cleveland. The center is anchored by Giant Eagle, the number one grocer by market share in the Cleve- land area. Amherst Marketplace also fea- tures national and regional tenants Get Go Gas, Monster Tan and Best Cuts. Sheffield Crossing is 113,688 square feet and is anchored to the shopping center in Sheffield Village, Ohio, a suburb approxi- mately 25 miles east of downtown Cleve- land. The center is anchored by Giant Eagle. Sheffield Crossing also features na- tional tenants Edward Jones, Great Clips, Weight Watchers and Verizon Wireless. The Shoppes at Windmill Place is a 122,176 square foot grocery store-an- chored shopping center in Batavia, Illi- nois, a suburb 43 miles west of Chicago. The center is anchored by Jewel Osco, the number one grocer by market share in the Chicago area. The Shoppes at Windmill Place also features national and regional tenants Dunkin Donuts, Mattress Firm, Zano Salon, Hair Cuttery, Subway, Hall- mark and GNC. Hamilton Mill Village is an 88,710 square foot grocery store-anchored shop- ping center in Dacula, Georgia, a suburb 37 miles northeast of Atlanta. The center is anchored by Publix, the number two grocer by market share in the Atlanta area. Hamilton Mill Village also features na- tional and regional tenants Subway, Menchies, Orange Theory Fitness, River- side Pizza and Petco. The company's sponsor, Phillips Edi- son, has a robust acquisitions pipeline managed by a national, in-house acquisi- tions team from which it continues to source opportunities to acquire high quality grocery-anchored shopping cen- ters diversified by grocer, geography, ten- ancy, lease expirations and creditworthiness. GN For The United Family ® , 2016 marks a historic year, as United Supermarkets celebrates the chain's 100th anniversary. What began as United Cash Store in Sayre, Oklahoma in 1916 has grown into a multi-banner, Texas-based grocery chain with 66 stores in 36 communities. Today, The United Family operates United Supermarkets, Market Street, Al- bertsons Market and Amigos grocery lo- cations, as well as United Express fuel and convenience stores, throughout West Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth and east- ern New Mexico. "Reaching our 100th anniversary is a remarkable accomplishment, and a true testament to the hard work and dedica- tion of all our team members through the years, as well as our loyal guests in each of our communities," said Robert Taylor, who was appointed CEO of The United Family in 2010. "Most importantly, this celebration is a tribute to the Snell fam- ily, because without their vision and leadership, United wouldn't be the beloved supermarket it is today." To commemorate a century of service, The United Family designed an entire year of initiatives to benefit and improve the communities it serves, a core value of the company since it was founded by Henry Dewitt Snell. The company kicked off the yearlong celebration with a birth- day party at all 66 stores on January 16 with a give-away of a total of 100,000 free cupcakes. Also in January, The United Family will launch Shop to Support Schools, a school donation program, which will challenge community members to get in- volved and help improve the future of local children. In addition, the company will take a bite out of hunger, donating 100,000 pounds of apples to local food banks across the company's service areas in April. "The company has been very fortunate for an entire century to have owners as well as leaders who believe in the core value of supporting communities and doing the right thing," said Taylor. "In honor of that legacy and to kick off our next 100 years, the 100th anniversary of United Supermarkets will be acknowl- edged and celebrated in each of our 36 communities in Texas and New Mexico." United moved to the company's now headquarter city of Lubbock, Texas in 1956 when Jack Snell, son of H. D. Snell, purchased three Taylor Safeways. The company continued its expansion over the next four decades under the leader- ship of Jack and his son, Robert, and by 1991, United stores were in 20 commu- nities throughout Texas. The company's continued growth into the grocery-chain it is today was spurred by a strategic growth plan adopted in 1998, which called for new stores, inno- vative concepts, diverse market expan- sion and self-distribution. Also in 1998, Market Street, a new concept focused on healthy meal solu- tions for busy guests, was introduced in Wichita Falls. The company now oper- ates 15 Market Street locations, includ- ing seven in Dallas-Fort Worth. United Supermercado, which is now known as Amigos, was the next concept offered by The United Family, opening in Plainview in 2000. Today, four locations provide a blend of traditional and cultural favorites for Hispanic shoppers in the Lubbock and Amarillo areas. To express appreciation for the many communities that have support the com- pany, beginning May 31, The United Family will celebrate 100 Days of Giving, presenting $1,000 to a different local non-profit for 100 consecutive days, to- taling a donation of $100,000. Also dur- ing that time, the company will donate 100,000 additional pounds of food to local food banks in June in preparation for fall and winter when donations are needed most. Lastly, The United Family will spread joy to area children's hospitals in 12 markets by distributing 1,200 spe- cial 100th Anniversary stuffed animals. "With these programs, in addition to dozens of ongoing initiatives, this year will truly be worthy of our 100th an- niversary," said Shelby Crews, Senior Community Relations Manager for The United Family. "Giving back to our guests has always been a cornerstone of United Supermarkets, and that emphasis will continue as The United Family en- ters its next century." The United Family remained a family- owned supermarket chain for 98 years until becoming a wholly-owned sub- sidiary of Albertson's LLC on Dec. 27, 2013. In order to take advantage of oper- ational and distribution opportunities, Albertsons realigned 12 locations under The United Family. These stores now op- erate as Albertsons Market stores in Mid- land-Odessa, San Angelo and eastern New Mexico. GN The United Family Celebrates 100th Anniversary of United Supermarkets BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. announced that Christopher J. Baldwin, BJ's Presi- dent and Chief Operating Officer, has been named President and Chief Execu- tive Officer, succeeding Laura J. Sen, who is assuming the role of Non-Execu- tive Chairman. The appointment became effective February 1, 2016. Mr. Baldwin will assume responsibility for the ongoing operations of BJ's, while Ms. Sen will join BJ's other board mem- bers in setting the long term strategic di- rection of the company. Mr. Baldwin will report to the company's Board of Direc- tors and both he and Ms. Sen will remain members of the BJ's Board. "I am grateful to have spent over 25 years with this great company, and feel privileged to have led it for the last seven," said Ms. Sen. "I am proud of what our team has accomplished to- gether during these many years. I believe BJ's is operationally strong and well po- sitioned for continued success. In a very short period Chris has demonstrated the necessary vision and leadership to take BJ's to the next level. Together we have laid out a strategy for the Company that will serve us for many years to come, and I believe now is the right time for Chris to assume his place as leader of BJ's," Ms. Sen concluded. Baldwin joined BJ's in September as President and Chief Operating Officer. He brought more than 30 years of expe- rience as an executive in the retail and consumer products industries. Before joining BJ's, he was CEO of Hess Retail Corporation, prior to its successful sale to Marathon Petroleum Corporation. Be- fore joining Hess, Baldwin served in a va- riety of executive level roles at Kraft Foods (Nabisco), The Hershey Company and Procter and Gamble. "I am humbled and excited by this op- portunity to lead BJ's," said Baldwin. "This is both a challenging time for retail and one full of opportunity. Our guide over the next several years will be a vi- sion that is steadfastly focused on offer- ing a distinctive shopping experience and deep value proposition to BJ's mil- lions of loyal members. With the support of BJ's team members, I look forward to leading our company to even higher lev- els of achievement," Baldwin concluded. Cameron Breitner, Partner of CVC Capital Partners, said, "We are extremely grateful for Laura's leadership over the past several years and her many contri- butions to BJ's success. Chris is an in- spired leader and his broad experiences qualify him to step in to this role. He is well-respected within BJ's and across the industry, and his personal style fits well with the company's core values." Jonathan Seiffer, Senior Partner at Leonard Green & Partners, said, "Thanks to Laura's leadership and vi- sion, BJ's has been a highly successful in- vestment since our take-private transaction in 2011. Our firm has a deep history of investing in outstanding retail businesses, and we are confident that Chris will build on the strong foundation that will be Laura's legacy.' Headquartered in Westborough, Mas- sachusetts, BJ's is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company cur- rently operates 211 clubs and 126 gas stations in 15 states. BJ's provides a one-stop shopping des- tination filled with more top-quality, leading brands including its exclusive Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands, which are all backed by BJ's 100 percent money-back guarantee; more fresh foods from USDA Choice meats to premium produce to delicious organics in many supermarket sizes; and more great value and amazing savings every day. BJ's is also the only membership club to accept all manufacturers' coupons and for greater convenience of- fers the most payment options. GN BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. Appoints Christopher J. Baldwin President and CEO