Mergers & Acquisitions

Kroger executive Kathleen “Katy” Barclay and former Coach executive Catherine “Kate” Buggeln are the newest member of the Five Below board of directors.

Despite similarities in name, Katy Barclay and Kate Buggeln bring different strengths to the rapidly growing teen and tween retailer’s board. Barclay has more than 35 years of experience in the human resources field and currently serves as senior vice president of human resources at Kroger.

Westlake, Ohio – Rising fuel gross margins and a non-recurring litigation settlement helped Travel Centers of America Inc. (TA) roughly triple its net income to $34.34 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, from $11.97 million in the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year. Revenues dipped 9% to $1.72 billion, from $1.9 billion.

David Tehle, executive vice president and CFO at Dollar General, will retire from the company effective July 1. The retailer has started a search for a successor and will consider both internal and external candidates for the job.

The news comes as Dollar General prepares the retail industry’s most aggressive new store expansion plan.

Cary, N.C. - The Pantry Inc. has announced the expiration of the waiting period under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rondino Act for to the proposed merger between The Pantry and a U.S. subsidiary of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Pantry stockholders approved the merger agreement at a special meeting on March 10.

New York -- Walgreens Boots Alliance may soon be on the hunt for its next acquisition target in the United States, Stefano Pessina, executive vice chairman and acting CEO Walgreens Boots Alliance, told attendees of the Retail Week Live conference here on Thursday, according to a Reuters report.

The Children’s Place Inc. on Thursday accelerated its store closing plans to 200 stores through 2017 (including 76 stores closed in 2013 and 2014), up from its previous announced target of 125 stores through 2016.

The addition of 700 new stores last year and a 4.9% increase in fourth quarter same store sales helped Dollar General achieve record results and has the company looking to capitalize on the momentum by accelerating what is already the retail industry’s most aggressive new store expansion plan.

Dollar General chairman and CEO Rick Dreilling said the company will add to its 2014 year end store total of 11,789 units in 2015 by opening 730 new stores and remodeling 875 others.

Fremont, Calif. – Men’s Wearhouse reported a loss of $35.9 million for the fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $30.5 million in the year-ago period, weighed down by costs related to its June 2014 acquisition of Jos. A. Banks.

Net sales increased 66% to $928.4 million from $560.6 million, aided by the addition of revenue from Jos. A. Bank.

By brand, same-store sales increased 6.8% at Men’s Wearhouse stores, 8.6% at Moores and 6.8% at K&G. Sales fell 6.6% at Jos. A. Bank.