Finance & Capital Management

Cincinnati – Within the next 24 months, Kroger will build six new stores and expand three locations, along with opening multiple fuel centers and remodeling existing properties in the North Texas area. Kroger has already begun a store refresh program in the region that includes lower prices on thousands of popular food and household items, along with a renewed emphasis on shopping experience, fuel discounts, local products and community relations.

Ongoing efforts to bolster cyber security at Target will take place under the leadership of an interim chief information officer and several other key positions the company is looking to fill with external candidates.

Earlier this week, Target confirmed that EVP and CIO Beth Jacob has resigned her position and in a statement provided to Retailing Today from Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel made it clear the company is intent on elevating its technology capabilities following last December’s data breach.

New York -- Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Markets Inc. is expanding. The natural-foods supermarket chain expects to open 22 to 24 stores in fiscal 2014, including five locations in the Atlanta area.

Sprouts currently operates more than 165 locations in eight states.

Meanwhile, Gap Inc. continues to expand its newest banner, Athleta, with about 30 additional U.S. stores on tap for fiscal year 2014.

In more store expansion news:

Severe winter weather was unable to put a damper Walgreens’ February sales and overall second-quarter results for the period ended Feb. 28.

The company reported February sales of $6.1 billion, an increase of 5% percent compared to the same month in fiscal 2013. Total sales for the quarter were $19.6 billion, up 5.2%.

Following RadioShack’s surprise announcement that it will close 1,100 stores in an attempt to staunch the flow of red ink, the company has retained Melville, N.Y.-based A&G Realty Partners to manage the disposition.

“In the coming weeks we’ll be working with our landlords to find an efficient and cost-effective means to exit these unprofitable locations, and as such, we’ve engaged A&G Realty to assist us in this process,” said John W. Feray, RadioShack’s CFO, during a March 4 earnings conference call.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Brands Group Inc, the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, today announced the extension of Chairman and CEO Nigel Travis's employment contract through December 2018. Travis, 64, whose contract previously ran through December 2016, joined Dunkin' Brands as CEO in December 2008.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchise group, Sizzling Donuts LLC for 46 new restaurants throughout the greater Sacramento, Calif., metro area and surrounding cities of Stockton, Modesto, Tracy, Manteca, Placerville and Davis, Calif.   

Gates, N.Y. - Wegmans Food Markets begins recruitment for full-time positions March 4 for its latest Massachusetts location, Burlington, which is scheduled to open in fall 2014. The company's third location in the state is a 135,000 sq.-ft. supermarket that includes a Market Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Going forward, Wegmans also plans to open more stores in Massachusetts, including a location in Westwood, in 2015.