Mergers & Acquisitions

New York -- Ross Stores continues to expand in 2014. The off-price retailer has already opened 30 Ross Dress for Less and seven dd's Discounts stores in 14 different states, and there's more to come.

"We remain on track to open a total of approximately 95 new locations in 2014, comprised of about 75 Ross Dress for Less and 20 dd's Discounts," said Jim Fassio, president and chief development officer. "Today, Ross Dress for Less is the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the U.S.”

New York -- Swatch Group SA is suing Target Corp. for illegally selling watches that copy Swatch watches.

Swatch, in a lawsuit made public on Monday, accused the retailer of infringing its designs for "multi-colored" and "zebra watches." The watchmaker said the quality of the Target watches is inferior compared to its own and that their sale is likely to confuse consumers and hurt Swatch's sales.

MILWAUKEE — In his first major appearance before a Milwaukee crowd, Meijer CEO Hank Meijer said the retailer is gearing up for growth in Wisconsin over the next few years, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Speaking at the recent Milwaukee Business Journal’s Power Breakfast, he said the company is likely to open 10 to 12 stores a year, and most of the locations will be in Wisconsin, the publication reported.

Houston – Cardtronics, Inc. has expanded its relationship with Tedeschi Food Shops, a Rockland, Mass.-based convenience store company. The broadened agreement names Cardtronics the exclusive ATM services provider for Tedeschi Food Shops. Cardtronics is the world’s largest retail ATM owner.

York, Pa. -- Bon -Ton Stores said its CEO, Brendan Hoffman, will step down early next year. The announcement follows a disappointing fourth quarter for the company.

Hoffman, a former CEO of Lord & Taylor, will leave Bon-Ton on Feb. 7, 2015, when his contract expires. He also will step down as director. Hoffman cited "strictly personal reasons" for his decision to leave.

He was appointed CEO of Bon-Ton in February 2012.

ZAANDAM, the Netherlands — Ahold has entered into an agreement to acquire Spar's business in the Czech Republic. The acquisition includes 50 stores of which 36 are compact hypers and 14 are supermarkets.

Chiquita Brands International plans to combine with and Fyffes, an international importer and distributor of tropical produce, in a stock-for-stock transaction that will create a global banana and other fresh produce company with approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenues.

Once the transaction is completed, before the end of 2014, Chiquita shareholders will own approximately 50.7% of ChiquitaFyffes, while Fyffes shareholders will own the remaining 49.3%, on a fully diluted basis.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal Inc. has appointed Deena Varshavskaya, Nancy Lublin and Adam Rothstein as new independent members of the company’s board of directors. The appointments expand the size of the board from seven to nine members.