Mergers & Acquisitions

New York -- Twitter plans to acquire Niche, a startup that pairs content creators popular on such social media platforms as Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter's own Vine with brand advertisers.

Niche, founded in 2013, provides social media creators – its stable includes more than 6,000 – with free, cross-platform analytics on desktop and mobile, and serves as a non-exclusive talent rep to facilitate branded content deals with its network of companies and agencies.

Costco shoppers may soon have other options for payment. American Express says it is ending its 16-year-old exclusive relationship with Costco next year.

Costco is one of the few big U.S. merchants that accepts only American Express cards. Cards branded by Visa Inc., MasterCard Inc. and Discover Financial Services can’t be used at its warehouse stores.

Hudson, Ohio -- Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has named a 25-year retailing veteran, former Shopko exec Jill Soltau, as president, CEO and a member of the board, effective March 2. She succeeds Jim Kerr, who has served as interim CEO since August when Travis Smith stepped down. Kerr will continue as executive VP and CFO.

Oklahoma City -- Sonic Drive-In announced two new agreements for franchise development in Rhode Island, the 45th state for the expanding brand. A mainstay in the South and Central Plains, the chain is aggressively expanding in the Northeast.

The first new Sonic franchisee for Rhode Island will bring the state its first location in the Providence, Rhode Island, market in mid-2015, with plans for more down the line.

DDR Corp.'s board of directors has promoted David Oakes to the chief executive officer post.

Oakes, the company's president and chief financial officer, fills a seat left empty by Daniel Hurwitz, who stepped down as CEO in December.

"After a thorough and robust search process, the board is confident that David is the right person to lead DDR into the future," Terry Ahern, the company's chairman, said. "I also want to thank the team for the terrific job that they have done while the board conducted the search process."

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is set to acquire the leading independent pharmacy benefit manager Envision Pharmaceutical in a deal valued at $2 billion, the retailer announced Wednesday.    Rite Aid shares were up more than 8% in pre-market trading on the news.   

Rite Aid is set to acquire leading independent pharmacy benefit manager Envision Pharmaceutical in a deal valued at $2 billion.  

Lafayette, Indiana -- Mid-America Real Estate Corporation’s Investment Sales team recently brokered the sale of Lafayette Pavilions Shopping Center located in Lafayette, Indiana. The 348,531-sq.-ft. regional shopping center was acquired by a real estate investment trust sponsored and managed by Phoenix-based Cole Capital for $54 million.

Lafayette Pavilions Shopping Center is located at the southwest corner of State Road 26 and Creasy Lane; it is anchored by Gordmans, Hobby Lobby, Gander Mountain, and TJ Maxx.