Mergers & Acquisitions

Rogers, Ark. -- In its annual meeting with analysts on Wednesday, Wal-Mart Stores U.S. president Bill Simon said the retailer would accelerate small-store growth to compete with dollar stores and drug stores, and announced plans to have 500 Neighborhood Market stores and 12 Express stores by fiscal 2016.

“This gives us the opportunity to build more stores for less money," Simon said. Wal-Mart currently operates 217 Neighborhood Markets and 10 Express stores.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless Holdings has named Paul Jones as CEO. Jones was most recently chairman, president and CEO of Shopko Stores, a $2.7 billion mass merchandiser providing quality products and health services at great values in small to mid-sized markets. Jones will be based in Topeka and will join the company in an official capacity on Oct. 22.
 

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us and Macy’s announced Wednesday that the pair will team on a Toys “R” Us Express-branded in-store program slated to open in 24 Macy’s stores during the holiday selling season.

Beginning mid-October and running through mid-January, the holiday temp departments will operate on a leased basis, will average about 1,500 sq. ft. each and will offer an edited selection of the Toys “R” Us product assortment.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Walmart Canada is stepping up its presence in the country this month with the opening of the most stores in the company's history.

By the end of October, the company will complete 30 real estate projects. They include two supercenter conversions and 28 new stores, which were formerly Zellers stores. Of the 28 Zellers locations, 10 will be supercentres and 18 will be discount stores. The 30 stores employ more than 3,000 associates and represent an addition of nearly 2.4 million square feet of retail space.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- Wet Seal Inc. said Wednesday it has named Clinton Group nominee Lynda Davey as chairman of the board. Davey is the former chairman and CEO of Avalon Group Ltd. and will replace the recently departed Harold Kahn.

The announcement follows earlier news that four Clinton Group nominees joined the Wet Seal board of directors: Davey, Dorrit Bern, Mindy Meads and John Mills.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Walmart Canada said Tuesday it will complete 30 real estate projects by the end of October, including two supercenter conversions and 28 new stores totaling 2.4 million sq. ft. of retail space.

The new stores were former Zellers locations; 10 will be converted to supercenters and 18 will be Walmart Canada discount stores.

“This is an exciting month for Walmart Canada,” said Jim Thompson, COO, Walmart Canada.

MINNEAPOLIS — More unsettling news from Best Buy this week, as the company announced the departure of EVP and CFO Jim Muehlbauer.

Muehlbauer, who joined the company in 2002, will support the company through 2013 as it searches for a new finance chief.