Finance & Capital Management

Kip Tindell, chairman and CEO of The Container Store, is giving up his CEO title. He will continue as chairman of the company, which he co-founded in 1978..

A company that achieved global fame for its simple glazed doughnuts has been acquired by the owners of a growing coffee empire. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has agreed to be acquired by JAB Beech Inc., a unit of German investment firm JAB Holding Company, for about $1.35 billion. The deal, which would take Krispy Kreme private, is the most recent in a string of purchases by JAB Holdings, including its acquisition in late 2015 of single-serve coffee maker Keurig Green Mountain.

The mergers and acquisitions market in consumer-retail overall will be active in 2016, but will also return to a more rational market with better balance between buyers and sellers and more reasonable deal values for higher-risk acquisitions.

Abercrombie & Fitch is expanding its presence in the Middle East. The retailer has entered into an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion to open stores in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Since 2013, Abercrombie, in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion, has opened eight stores in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The e-commerce giant has entered into an agreement with Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings for Atlas to operate 20 Boeing Co. cargo planes for Amazon. Atlas Air will operate the 20 converted freighters for Amazon on leases from seven to 10 years. “We are excited to welcome a great provider, Atlas Air, to support package delivery to the rapidly growing number of Prime members who love ultra-fast delivery, great prices and vast selection from Amazon,” said Dave Clark, Amazon’s senior VP of worldwide operations.

Women now make up the majority of the leadership team at Best Buy, theStar Tribunereported, with the retailer reaching the tipping point in April when it hired Trish Walker from Accenture as president of services. Having more gender diversity has been a commitment of Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly, who took over in September 2012, the report said.

BJ's Wholesale Club has appointed Lee Delaney as executive VP, chief growth officer, effective May 9.

Delaney will be responsible for the company's merchandising and supply chain organization.

Prior to joining BJ's, Delaney was a partner in the Boston office of Bain & Company, and a leader in the firm's consumer products practice.

Prior to joining Bain in 1996, he worked for Electronic Data Systems and Deloitte Consulting advising clients on a variety of engagements.

Both Walmart Canada and Loblaw companies sent financial aid to support the relief efforts in the Fort McMurray community. According to reports published Friday morning, fires in the province of Alberta have to date forced the evacution of 88,000 residents and destroyed more than 1,600 structures.