Mergers & Acquisitions

Seattle -- Amazon.com on Monday announced it has agreed to buy Kiva Systems Inc. for $775 million in cash. Kiva is a manufacturer of automation technology for fulfillment centers, and is best known for its mobile- robotic technology and sophisticated control software.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. opened its first-ever juice bar under its newest banner, Evolution Fresh. The shop, which also features wraps, soups, salads and vegetarian items, is located in Bellevue, Wash.

Starbucks purchased the Evolution Fresh juice brand in November for $30 million. The coffee giant plans to roll out Evolution Fresh juices to its coffee shops later this year.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. anticipates that its annual dividend may hit $3 per share or more by 2017, if its annual earnings are at $8 per share or more by that time.

Target on Monday said it has paid a dividend every quarter since it became a public company in 1967, and in 2011 the company marked its 40th consecutive year of annual dividend increases.

Target also announced that it plans to invest $1.5 billion or more in buybacks in 2012. It invested nearly $1.9 billion in stock repurchases last year.

Seattle -- Online diamond and fine jewelry retailer Blue Nile announced the appointment of Harvey Kanter as CEO and president, effective March 30. Kanter will also be appointed to Blue Nile's board of directors, effective March 30.

Prior to joining Blue Nile, Kanter served as president and chief executive of Moosejaw Mountaineering and Backcountry Travel, a multichannel retailer of premium outdoor apparel and gear. Before Moosejaw, he served as executive VP and managing director of Michaels Stores.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. said Monday it approved a $1 billion stock buyback program.

The operator of grocery chains such as Safeway, Vons and Dominick's had about $400 million remaining under its stock repurchase program, through Feb. 22. The buyback authorization does not have an expiry date.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods has nominated two candidates to serve on the company's board of directors.

St. Louis -- Panera Bread Co. announced that founder and executive chairman, Ron Shaich, and president and CEO, Bill Moreton, will become co-CEOs, effective immediately.

The announcement formalizes a relationship that has evolved over the last year and is a reflection of the way in which Shaich and Moreton have been operating as partners, the company said.

Each individual's formal title will be as follows: Ron Shaich, chairman of the board and co-CEO; Bill Moreton, president and co-CEO.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Select Sears hometown dealer stores and Sears Hardware stores were the latest to hit the chopping block at Sears Holdings, as the company continues to implement plans to reduce expenses. The company revealed in a Wednesday document that it will close 43 Sears hometown dealer stores and 10 Sears Hardware stores over the first half of 2012.