Mergers & Acquisitions

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- Ascena, parent company of Dress Barn, Maurices and Justice, said Friday that it has selected Oracle E-Business Suite Financials to streamline financial operations across the company’s growing retail operations.

Philadelphia -- Teen value retailer Five Below said that the company is launching a major expansion into Chicago, with the signing of 12 store leases.

The new stores, which are planned to open in the spring, are the first of up to 20 new stores that will open in the Chicago market this year, according to the company.

Over the next three to five years, Five Below anticipates expanding its foothold in Chicagoland and increasing the number of stores in the region to as many as 60 locations.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has named Janel Haugarth EVP merchandising and logistics. She will replace Steve Jungmann, formerly EVP merchandising, who is leaving the company effective immediately, the company reported.

In her new role, Haugarth will be responsible for all merchandising activities across the company’s traditional retail and independent retail businesses. The move consolidates the leadership of all of the company’s merchandising activities, with the exception of Save-A-Lot, under the leadership of a single EVP, Supervalu noted.

Rain and snow dealt the club channel a blow during December, as Costco was impacted by heavy rain in California and BJ’s felt the sting of blizzards in the Northeast. Sam’s was impacted too, but Costco and BJ’s have a higher concentration of stores in those areas so it is likely the effect was less.

New York City -- Teen specialty retailer Anchor Blue has closed its headquarters and is in the process of winding down operations at its 120 stores, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

Based in Corona, Calif., Anchor Blue is owned by private equity firm Sun Capital partners.

Richardson, Texas -- Wingstop announced it will add another 20 stores in Mexico over the next three years thanks to an extended development agreement with current international franchisee WIS de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Wingstop has more than 475 restaurants open across the United States and Mexico.

“We are thrilled with our success in Mexico over this past year,” said David Vernon, VP franchise sales for Wingstop.

The New Year is off to a busy start at BJ’s Wholesale Club. Amid ongoing speculation about the retailer being a potential takeover target, BJ’s on Wednesday announced the closure of five clubs, several senior level personnel changes and released its December sales a day earlier than normal.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens reported on Wednesday that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion. The chain said that Duane Reade stores, which Walgreens acquired in April 2010, contributed 2.5 percentage points.

Walgreens’ same-store sales for the month rose 2.8%

The company said front-end sales were up 9.5%. Pharmacy sales, which accounted for 58.6% of total sales for the month, saw a 6% boost.

During the month of December, Walgreens opened three stores, including one relocation, and acquired three stores.