Mergers & Acquisitions

San Francisco -- Schneider Electric and Autodesk are teaming up to advance building information modeling (BIM) technology and principles for building lifecycle management. As part of the collaboration, the two companies are exploring ways to complement each other’s strengths to make buildings more energy efficient, from the design and construction stage and continuing through operation and end-of-life phases.

Cincinnati – Kroger Co. has reportedly purchased a soon-to-be shuttered Macy’s store located in the Kingsdale shopping center in Upper Arlington, Ohio, for $10.5 million. According to Columbus Business First, Kroger may include multifamily housing or offices in its redevelopment plans for the site.

The Zoning Board would have to approve any Kroger redevelopment plans. Giant Eagle also operates a grocery store in the Kingsdale center. Kroger did not comment.
 

New York – Apparel retailer Cache Inc. is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy as early as the week of Jan. 26. According to Bloomberg, the 237-store chain is feeling the effects of reduced mall traffic and increased online and foreign-based competition.

In December, Cache said it was exploring options and had received an inquiry about a possible purchase. The company’s chief marketing officer also resigned that month. Cache previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1986 and came out of bankruptcy in 1988.

Guilford, Conn. -- The Fresh Market continues to grow its specialty grocery chain in the state of Connecticut with a new location slated for Guilford. The store, expected to open in late 2015, will be located in Guilford Commons, a new retail project being developed by Beechwood, Ohio-based DDR and situated near the intersection of Interstate 95 and Boston Post Road.  

Once opened, the Guilford Fresh Market will be the grocer’s third in the state, joining stores in Avon and Westport.

New York -- Sears Holdings has a new leader for its Kmart pharmacy division. The company announced that it has hired Phil Keough as senior VP and president, pharmacy.

Keough most recently served as CEO and president of Millennium Pharmacy Systems, a long-term care pharmacy provider, and led the sale of the company to PharMerica.

Walmart is capping off the end of its fiscal year with a flurry of activity, as the retailer is poised to open more stores in Canada.

Walmart said it will open 11 new supercenters by Jan. 29, completing its expansion for the company's current fiscal year ending Jan. 31.

These openings will bring Walmart’s total store count in Canada to 394 stores.

Mississauga, Canada – Wal-Mart Canada will open 11 supercenters across the country by Jan. 29, 2015, completing its expansion for the company's current fiscal year. Walmart Canada's total store count will be 394 stores, including 280 supercenters and 114 discount stores.

Dollar General CEO Rick Dreiling had planned to retire in a few months, but after Family Dollar shareholder’s snubbed his company’s buyout offer, Dreiling said he’ll stick around a bit longer.