Finance & Capital Management

Meijer is piloting a new approach to store lighting.

The retailer's remodeled store in Beavercreek, Ohio, is its first-ever location to feature 100% LED lighting. The LEDs, from GE, are expected to save more than a half million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

The new lighting is part of an extensive $50 million remodeling project that Meijer is undertaking at four supercenters in the Dayton market. According to Meijer, the GE LEDs deployed in the store are 30% more efficient than traditional lighting, with a 50% longer lifespan.

Rite Aid is making some key executive moves even as the company is on the verge of merging with Walgreens in a $17.2 billion deal.

Rite Aid announced that Darren Karst has been promoted to the combined role of senior executive VP and CFO and chief administrative officer, effective immediately. He will continue to report to Rite Aid chairman and CEO John T. Standley.

German discount grocery chain Lidl has broken ground for a new regional U.S. headquarters and distribution center in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

O’Reilly Automotive plans to accelerate its expansion plans in 2016 following record revenue and profit in the third quarter.

The auto parts retailer now plans to open 210 new stores next year. The company is also on track to open 205 new stores by the end of 2015.

In the wake of the news that Walgreens Boots Alliance would be acquiring Rite Aid, Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina told the New York Times that he is open to opportunities that would expand the company’s footprint around the globe.“Due to my age, I won’t have a possibility to make many more acquisitions,” Pessina told the Times. “And unfortunately, I cannot amuse myself dealing directly with small acquisitions, and dealing directly with owners and so on. ...

For most retailers, one store in Manhattan's Times Square is good enough. But not for Skechers.

Skechers USA has opened its second location in Times Square. The new outlet is located in the heart of the busy area, on what's known as the Bow Tie.

Pickerington, Ohio -- Stark Enterprise announced the addition of The Shoppes at Stonecreek located in Pickerington, Ohio to its retail portfolio. The 45,000 sq. ft. center is currently 100% occupied, tenants include: Lifetime Fitness, Petland, Advanced Vapor, Lomonico’s and Roosters.

“This acquisition further expands our footprint outside of Northeast Ohio and is a prime opportunity for us to prove the transformational impact we have on our properties,” said Ezra Stark, COO for Stark Enterprises.

Fresh on the heels of its announced $17.2 billion acquisition of Rite Aid, Walgreens Boots Alliance reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $26 million Wednesday — compared to a $221 million loss during the same period last year — and finished significantly ahead of analyst expectations. Net sales climbed almost 50% to $28.5 billion during the quarter, which ended August 31.