Keeping stores open during Hurricane Sandy was one of the factors that contributed to an increase in total store sales and comps in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 for Ahold USA, the supermarket operator's Dutch parent company said Thursday.

Safeway's approach to multi-channel retailing — a shopping app fielding personalized, targeted promotions to members of its growing Just for U loyalty program — represents the foundation for future growth, executives noted during a conference call with analysts Thursday morning.

Safeway is looking to its recently launched Just for U loyalty program, which this month became available across all U.S. divisions, to help drive a positive sales story through the rest of the fiscal year.

A Giant-Carlisle store in Pennsylvania will sponsor an event to teach kids about healthy eating.

An all-natural oat-based beverage recently made its market debut.

Weis Markets has closed on its purchase of three former Genuardi's stores and is slated to reopen them this weekend.

Weis Markets on Thursday announced it will invest $125 million in its 2012 growth program, a 25% increase compared with 2011.

Marley Coffee has inked a distribution agreement that will expands its line's availability on the East Coast, as well as in Hawaii.

Safeway on Thursday announced the sale of 16 of its Genuardi's stores in the greater Philadelphia area to Giant Food Stores, a division of Ahold USA.

Safeway announced its 10th annual campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association's efforts to develop treatments and assist people coping with neuromuscular diseases.

CVS Caremark announced on Friday that former Walmart North executive Hank Mullany will succeed Larry Merlo as president of CVS/pharmacy. The move is part of the corporate succession plan announced last May in which Tom Ryan will retire as CEO prior to the next annual meeting and Merlo will step up as CEO.