Sam's Club to open 32,000 SF store

Sam's Club announced last month that it plans to open a smaller-format store centered on convenience and a digital experience, with the product selection focusing on consumables. The 32,000 square foot store is scheduled to open in Dallas this fall.

Typical Sam's Club warehouse stores are about 135,000 square feet, with many even larger.

According to CEO Jamie Iannone, the new store will still be a membership club like all Sam's Club locations, and will focus on making shopping easier. He cites plans for faster membership signups, easier returns, digital signage throughout the store, and Scan & Go checkout.

Iannone also said the product offering will consist mostly of grocery and fresh food items such as grab-and-go meals, and popular consumable items. Same-day Club Pickup will also be available, as will certain delivery options.

Earlier this year Sam's Club announced the closure of 63 club locations, including their Exton, PA store. Up to 12 of these closed stores are slated to be converted to fulfillment centers.

Whole Foods to open soon in Exton

West Whiteland Township Manager Mimi Gleason said Whole Foods is on schedule to open at PREIT's Exton Square Mall in January. Although Whole Foods has not confirmed an opening date, company representatives appeared at a late October Board of Supervisors meeting and received approval for the transfer of a liquor license.

In addition, Whole Foods spokesperson Rachel Dean Wilson said they are now looking for about "150 passionate, food-focused individuals to fill positions across departments ranging from cashier to meat cutter to cake decorator."

The store, which has been built on the site of a former Kmart facing Route 100, will have a full bar for those sitting at the pub or the rooftop terrace, according to Gleason.

A Whole Foods store has also been constructed in the Ellis Preserve development in Newtown Square, PA, but no opening date has been announced.

Acme to close Westtown and Exton supermarkets

Among the 26 stores Albertsons plans to close by February 20 are Acme stores in Westtown and Exton, PA. The announcement came yesterday by Albertsons, owner of the Acme supermarket chain.

In both Pennsylvania stores, the leases are coming to an end and will not be renewed. Acme, once the Greater Philadelphia market leader, currently operates 122 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. ShopRite and Giant are currently the leading traditional supermarkets in the region.

According to the company, nine Acme supermarkets will be remodeled in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins February 21, and no other stores are slated for closure.