M&A | Retail Leader

Kroger, Albertsons sell more than 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers
In connection with its proposed merger, Kroger and Albertsons agreed to sell 413 stores — including Mariano's, QFC and Carrs brand names — eight distribution centers, two offices and five private label brands across 17 states and Washington, D.C., to C&S for approximately $1.9 billion.
The Body Shop’s owner sells Aesop to L'Oréal
Natura &Co, owner of The Body Shop and Avon, completed the sale of the Australian luxury cosmetics brand Aesop to L'Oréal for $2.58 billion.

Capital Management
Philadelphia Area Grocer to Add Health Clinics
Brown's Super Stores Inc. has opened a health clinic in one ShopRite location and plans to add as many as 15 convenient-care clinics to supermarkets in the Philadelphia region,
Capital Management
Walmart to Install Solar Power at Denver-Area Stores
Marching toward its goal of powering all of its stores and warehouses with renewable energy, Walmart announced plans to install six solar-power systems at stores in the Denver area, reported
Capital Management
Oak Hill Capital Buys Majority Stake in Earth Fare
Private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners paid about $300 million to acquire an 80 percent interest in upscale natural foods grocer Earth Fare,
Capital Management
Annie's Stock Soars Above Issue Price
Annie's, the maker of good-for-you prepared foods, saw its stock climb 89 percent above the $19 issue price to $35.92 on the first day of trading, Eric Volkman of The Motley Fool reported.
Capital Management
High Ridge Brands Acquires Rights Coast Brand from Henkel
High Ridge Brands Co., a portfolio company of private equity firm Brynwood Partners VI, announced it has acquired the global rights to the Coast soap brand from Henkel's Dial Corp.
Capital Management
Hostess Brands Asks Workers to Accept Salary Freeze
Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Twinkies and Ding Dongs that filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January, is asking its 16,000 union workers to accept a salary freeze to save $6.1 million annually by 2015,
Capital Management
Meijer Moves Into Milk Production With Acquisition
Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer Inc. said Thursday it acquired the production plant of Bareman's Dairy in Holland, Mich., and will invest more than $8 million in the expansion of its operations.
Capital Management
Accounting Troubles Lead Diamond Foods to Seek Private Equity: Sources
Diamond Foods, which has been reeling from accounting troubles, reportedly has contacted several private equity firms, such as KKR, to purchase a minority stake in the company, Barron's said, citing "sources close to the situation."
Capital Management
Annie’s Inc. Hopes to Raise $80 Million from IPO
As the IPO market heats up, organic-food company Annie's Inc., maker of macaroni and cheese and more than 120 other products, hopes to raise as much as $80 million in an offering this week,
Capital Management
Cost Increases Impact General Mills' 3Q Earnings
General Mills' third-quarter financial results were impacted by input cost inflation of 10 percent to 11 percent, the highest level of commodity inflation "seen in 30 years," said chairman and CEO Ken Powell in a statement.
Capital Management
TreeHouse Acquires Naturally Fresh
Westchester, Ill.-based TreeHouse Foods Inc. has acquired Naturally Fresh Inc., an Atlanta maker of refrigerated dressings, sauces, dips, marinades and specialty items, for $25 million,
Capital Management
Swiss Farms to Expand Drive-Through Grocery Store Concept
After operating in Pennsylvania for 40 years, Swiss Farms will replicate its drive-through grocery store in North Carolina, the

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