Mergers & Acquisitions

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot said Thursday it has extended its deadline for board nominations; the move comes after discussions with its largest shareholder Starboard Value were held.

The extension allows stockholders to nominate candidates until the close of business on Feb. 25.

Activist hedge fund Starboard has been pushing for changes at Office Depot, arguing that the company could improve profitability in part by reducing expense.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — Former Food Lion CEO, and current board member for 99 Cents Only Stores, Richard Anicetti, is assuming the role of interim CEO for the discount retailer. In addition, Michael Fung will join the company as interim chief administrative officer overseeing finance, information technology, real estate and various administrative functions of the company.  

In connection with the foregoing changes, Eric Schiffer, Jeff Gold and Howard Gold are no longer employed by the company. 

City of Commerce, Calif. -- The founding family of the 99 Cents Only Stores chain has been fired by its owners, with retail veteran Richard Anicetti and Michael Fung taking over top executive roles.

The retailer said that Eric Schiffer (CEO), Jeff Gold (president) and Howard Gold (EVP) are “no longer employed by the company” and that Richard Anicetti has been named interim CEO. Schiffer is the son-in-law of founder David Gold while Jeff and Howard are his sons.

Phoenix -- PetSmart on Tuesday announced its planned management succession plan. The company said that following its annual shareholders meeting on June 14, 2013, current president and COO David K. Lenhardt will be promoted to CEO and simultaneously join the board of directors. At that time, current chairman and CEO Bob Moran will vacate the CEO's chair and become executive chairman.

DALLAS  — The growing popularity of Netflix, Hulu and other on-demand video rental services continues to take a toll on traditional brick-and-mortar video rental stores. 

Dish Network reported that its subsidiary, Blockbuster will close about 300 of its stores in the United States in the coming weeks. The closures will result in the loss of about 3,000 jobs and leave the chain with some 500 U.S. locations.

New York -- Wegmans has confirmed plans to open a store in Alexandria, Va., in 2014, according to Washington Business Journal.

The store will be located in Hilltop Village, which is being developed by Houston-based Weingarten Realty Investors. The project will feature some 250,000 sq. ft. of retail, anchored by the 143,000-sq.-ft. Wegmans, and 100,000 sq. ft. of office.

New York -- Shares of Safeway Inc. shares rose as much as 9% on Wednesday on rumors of increased buyout interest for its Canada operations by Canadian grocer Metro Inc. and Loblaw Companies Ltd.

On Tuesday, Metro announced it was selling off nearly half its stake in Couche-Tard Inc. for $482 million.

In December, Loblaw announced plans to spin off the vast majority of its property assets into a real estate investment trust.

Former Haggar executive Paul Buxbaum was named CEO of apparel manufacturer Hampshire Group.

Buxbaum, 57, replaces Heath Golden who resigned as president and CEO and also plans to vacate his position as a board member.

"Heath Golden has overseen Hampshire through a difficult period in its history and led a transformation of our business, resulting in a company with prospects of growth and profitability," said board chairman Peter Woodward.