M&A

The continued slow economy as well as high employee-benefit costs have spurred Twinkie-maker Hostess Brands Inc. to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in three years, Bloomberg reported.

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P), which has been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, announced plans to close 14 underperforming stores in four states.

H.J. Heinz reportedly is considering a bid for Pfizer’s baby formula business, which could fetch $9 billion, the

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, a unit of Tesco, is adding more than 60 new items to its Eatwell and Goodness lines, the company said in a release.

Retail chains Shopko Stores and Pamida have agreed to merge in a deal expected to close in mid-February that will increase the number of stores operating under the Shopko banner to 350 in 22 states from 149 stores in 13 states currently, the Superior Telegram reported.

Despite annual revenue averaging $50 million for the past three years and profitable stores, a lack of financing has led niche grocery chain Michael’s Market Inc. to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the

Since drug-store giant Walgreens acquired it two years ago, New York retailer Duane Reade has launched an “aggressive rollout plan” that includes store remodels and a new emphasis on fresh food, reported

Walmart's entry into the generic drug market could impact Rite Aid's drug sales, according to a Zacks analyst blog.

Corporate spinoffs are expected to total $230 billion in 2011, up six-fold from a year ago, according to a report in the

Stocks of Hershey Co. and other noncyclical businesses gained an average of about 16 percent in 2010, outpacing a lackluster S&P 500, which inched up 0.6 percent in 2011 through Dec. 23, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.

Publix Super Markets Inc. is mulling building a major distribution center in Orlando, Fla., that would support future growth,