Mergers & Acquisitions

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café is expanding in Pennsylvania with the addition of eight stores throughout northern Pittsburgh. A group of franchisees with extensive real estate and retail experience is opening the new stores.

Corner Bakery Café is also targeting southern Pittsburgh for franchise growth. The retailer has more than 190 company-owned and franchise stores currently open, and franchise agreements representing commitments for 398 units.
 

Crocs Inc. has a new interim finance chief after its CFO resigned to take the same position at West Marine.

Jeff Lasher, who joined Crocs in 2009 and was named chief financial officer in 2011, will remain with the company through early November. Lasher plans to join West Marine, Inc. as chief financial officer in November.

Cincinnati — Kroger on Thursday announced the appointment of four executive VPs to lead key lines of business.

On a day when his company reported its fifth straight quarter of sales declines, the CEO of Barnes & Noble sounded a positive note, telling the Wall Street Journal that the retailer is looking at a new store prototype.

A week after suing Albertsons for $1 billion, west coast regional grocer Haggen has filed Chapter 11 and continues to cite Albertsons as the source of its difficulties.

Ankeny, Iowa – Cost controls helped Casey’s General Stores Inc. boost profit even as revenue fell in its first quarter.

Net earnings grew 23% to $61.8 million from $50.1 million, driven by a significant decline in cost of goods sold.

Total revenue dropped 10% to $2.05 billion, from $2.29 billion. Fuel price volatility negatively impacted revenue results.

Casey’s annual goal is to build or acquire 75 to 113 stores, replace 10 existing locations and perform major remodels on 100 existing locations.

The CEO of Men’s Wearhouse Inc. says the company is well-positioned to implement its growth strategy despite lackluster second quarter results and a struggling Jos. A. Bank unit.

New York -- Two very different retail companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Supermarket retailer Haggen filed for bankruptcy after struggling for months to digest a huge acquisition that has proved troublesome from the start. Surfing and skate apparel chain Quiksilver Inc. also sought protection, a victim of online competition, fast-fashion merchants and teens’ fickle tastes.  

Here is more information on both: