Finance & Capital Management

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports announced that its board of directors has authorized a new $200 million share repurchase program.

The new share repurchase program is effective immediately and authorizes the repurchase of up to $200 million of the company’s common stock in open market or private transactions. As of October 17, 2013, Pier I had approximately 103.8 million shares of common stock outstanding.
 

Sauk Rapids, Minn. — The Mansour Group www.themansourgroup.com has closed on the sale of a Walgreens in Sauk rapids, Minn., in the St. Cloud metropolitan area, for $10.9 million.

Mansour had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a developer in Houston. The property generated multiple offers and sold to a 1031 California investor who needed a premium investment to meet the exchange needs.

Former Walmart executive Dijuana Lewis will be joining Aetna as EVP, responsible for the newly formed Consumer Products and Enterprise Marketing organization.

In this role, she will be responsible for aligning consumer-focused businesses, products, services and capabilities to deliver a personalized end-to-end consumer experience that positions the company for long-term growth.

Lewis will report directly to Aetna chairman, CEO and president Mark Bertolini and will be a member of the company’s executive committee.

Medford, Mass. — A joint venture between Charter Realty & Development Corp. and Regency Centers Corporation has acquired Fellsway Plaza in Medford, Mass. The joint venture acquired the 150,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood center, anchored by a recently constructed Stop & Shop, from Berenson Associates of Boston. PNC Bank provided permanent and development financing. Commercial Property Group represented the joint venture in the transaction.

Pleasanton, Calif. – The board of directors of Safeway Inc. has increased the authorized level of the company's stock repurchase program by $2 billion. Through the end of the third quarter of 2013, Safeway had approximately $800 million remaining under its previously authorized stock repurchase program.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports announced that effective February 2, 2014, Mickey Newsome will transition from his current position as executive chairman and employee of the company to non-executive chairman.

The retailer also announced that Jeff Rosenthal, president and CEO, has been appointed to the board of directors, effective immediately, thereby increasing the size of the board to ten members.

Phoenix – PetSmart Inc. has issued guidance for fiscal year 2013 for total sales growth of 3%-4%, as well as same-store sales growth of 3%-4%, compared to the prior fiscal year. PetSmart also slightly downgraded previous same-store sales guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 to 2.2%-2.5%, from previously issued guidance of 3%-4%.

Hampstead, Md. – Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. reportedly may consider a hostile takeover bid for Men’s Wearhouse. According to Bloomberg, Jos. A. Bank chairman Robet Wildrick said he would prefer a friendly acquisition but his company is not ruling any options out.