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CARLISLE, Pa. — The Federal Trade Commission has approved Giant Food Stores' proposal to acquire 15 Genuardi's stores from Safeway.

The announcement follows Giant's Jan. 5 announcement that it would acquire the Genuardi's stores, all of which are located in the greater Philadelphia market. Giant also noted that under the terms of a consent order approved by the FTC, the Genuardi's located in Newtown, Pa., will be purchased by Newtown Market and will be operated as a McCaffrey's supermarket.

 MODESTO, Calif. — Save Mart Supermarkets announced the hiring of Brett Wing as VP of FoodMaxx operations. Wing comes from Cub Foods/Supervalu in Hudson, Wis., and brings 35 years of grocery store and senior management experience, the grocer stated.

MALVERN, Pa. — Supervalu banner Acme Markets has opened a new store in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Construction of the new store began in 2011, which touts 37,000 sq. ft., the Bryn Mawr Acme was designed to provide customers a greater selection and variety, while offering a fresh, new feel to their shopping experience both inside and outside the store.

PORTLAND, Ore., and SEATTLE — Safeway has launched an online and mobile shopping tool that is designed to give customers an easier way to save on groceries.

Just for U, launched in the chain's Oregon and Washington divisions, delivers targeted savings directly to a customer's Safeway club card. Deals are offered on items a shopper most frequently buys, as well as items they might be interested in — providing savings of up to 10% to 20% more than by using a Safeway club card alone, Safeway said.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons LLC is sharpening its focus on social media and digital marketing with the creation of a new social and digital marketing team that will be led by technology and social marketing expert Karl Meinhardt.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Monday announced three new executive appointments following the departure of Sue Klug, president of its Albertsons Southern California division.

Dan Sanders has been tapped to head Albertsons Southern California, Keith Wyche will lead Acme and Brian Audette has been named president at Cub Foods.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Albertsons LLC earlier this week announced the closure of 13 stores across the Sunshine State, leaving only four locations in the Orlando, Fla., area, according to published reports.

The stores are expected to close in early June and will begin liquidation sales May 9.

FULLERTON, Calif. — Supervalu announced that its Albertsons/Sav-On banner is offering inoculations for whooping cough at 54 of its pharmacies in Washington.

The pertussis “Tdap” vaccine booster is recommended for those ages 11 years and older. Albertsons/Sav-On pharmacists are available to administer the vaccination to patients ages 12 years and older, the company said.

The vaccine is available without a prescription or appointment at $54.99 per immunization and a majority of prescription insurances are accepted.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that CVS/pharmacy is closing all of its upscale Beauty360 stores may have raised a few eyebrows — or perhaps not — but now it will be interesting to see the changes that occur in store and online in beauty.

(THE NEWS: CVS/pharmacy to close all Beauty360 locations. For the full story, click here)

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Tuesday joined forces with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion on an initiative to develop and promote dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — A former Safeway executive has joined Dollar General as its EVP store operations.

Effective March 19, Greg Sparks will assume all responsibilities for the operations of more than 9,900 retail stores in 38 states and serve on Dollar General's real estate and store development committee, the company said. Sparks will report to chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling.

Sparks most recently served as president of Safeway's Seattle division. His departure from the supermarket retailer was announced earlier this week.

WESTLAKE, Texas — Healthcare supply chain software developer Supplylogix has appointed a former Safeway executive as its director of product development.

Supplylogix announced the hiring of Glen Davis, saying he would help expand the company's suite of products that pharmacies and other healthcare providers use to improve supply chain performance.