Kroger to spend $150 million on Texas expansion

Dive Brief:

• Kroger’s will spend $150 million during the next two years on a large-scale expansion of its presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
• The company plans to add five new Marketplace stores and to increase the size of three existing Kroger Signature stores.
• Other stores in the area are slated for remodeling.

Dive Insight:

Kroger’s Texas expansion comes as the company nears the completion of its acquisition of Harris Teeter, and as Chief Executive Officer David Dillon prepares to retire at the end of the year. The Texas investments may indicate that the succession team, including incoming CEO Rodney McMullen plan to double-down on existing markets, rather than invest in further acquisitions …at least for now.

Recommended Reading:

Supermarket News: Kroger Announces Investment in Dallas
Produce News: Kroger's $150 million capital investment in Dallas-Fort Worth

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http://www.fooddive.com/news/kroger-to-spend-150-million-on-texas-expansion/192837/

Growlers Poured at New H-E-B Store: Craft Beer Goes Austin Weird

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas-brewed growlers are on the menu at H-E-B’s first in-store restaurant here.
Café Mueller offers six types of growlers-to-go, including 512 Pecan Porter, Live Oak Liberation Ale and Circle Envy Amber. Each is available in a 32- or 64-ounce growler. Prices range from $6 to $10.50, depending on the size and type of beer chosen, according to the menu posted on heb.com. Open for lunch and dinner, Café Mueller serves a variety of chef-inspired meals, rare wines and Texas craft brews on tap. It features indoor and outdoor patio seating.
The menu also includes Texas barbecue foods like brisket and spare ribs, as well as pasta bowls, Asian bowls and dessert.
As reported, the 75,000-square-foot store, known as H-E-B at Mueller, is registered for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and Austin Energy Green Building certification, the San Antonio-based retailer said. Its sustainable design incudes low flow toilets and faucets; refrigerated cases with shaded doors; computer adjusted LED lighting; reflective roofing material and solar panels. The store also offers covered bicycle parking and a community room.
The store, known as H-E-B at Mueller, is registered for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and Austin Energy Green Building certification, the San Antonio-based retailer said. Its sustainable design incudes low flow toilets and faucets; refrigerated cases with shaded doors; computer adjusted LED lighting; reflective roofing material and solar panels. The store also offers covered bicycle parking and a community room.
The 75,000-square-foot store includes HEB’s first in-store restaurant, known as Café Mueller, featuring chef-made meals, rare wines and a variety of tap beers with dining inside and outside. Store features include service meat, fish, deli, bakery, and cheese departments; an extensive wine department; pharmacy and Healthy Living departments with bulk goods and natural and organic food.
The unveiling of the new prototype drew hundreds of visitors Friday morning.
Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/h-e-b-debuts-new-austin-store#ixzz2aXkMsek5