Strategy

AB Acquisition LLC, which operates Albertson’s LLC and New Albertson’s Inc., has appointed Rick Navarro, who had been the company’s CFO since its inception in 2006, as chief administrative officer. Succeeding Navarro as the company’s CFO is former Nash Finch executive Robert Dimond.

In his new role, Navarro will oversee the IT, legal, business development, human resources and public affairs functions.

North Bergen, N.J. – Strong results in its e-commerce segment, along with growing same-store sales and income from Super Supplements stores acquired in the fourth quarter, helped boost the performance of Vitamin Shoppe Inc. during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013. On a year-over-year basis, fourth quarter net income grew 15.9% to $11.2 million from $9.7 million.

Bi-Lo Holdings and Delhaize Group have received approval from the Federal Trade Commission to proceed with the transaction in which Bi-Lo Holdings will acquire substantially all of the stores in the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket chains from Delhaize.

Atlanta – Home Depot Inc.'s net income in the fourth-quarter edged down 0.8%, hurt by snow and severe cold and one less week in the period than a year ago. But cost costs helped its earnings to top estimates and the chain raised its quarterly dividend by 21%.

The very cold weather should boost sales this spring, the chain’s most important sales period of the year, as people repair homes damaged this winter, Home Depot said.

Seattle – Starbucks is expanding its Evolution Fresh cold-pressed juice to more than 360 corporate stores in the Chicago and greater Midwest areas. This brings the total number of Starbucks locations and grocery stores offering Evolution Fresh products to more than 9,000 across the U.S.

Kroger has promoted Dennis Gibson to president of the QFC division. He succeeds Joe Fey, who was named president of Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division in January.

Gibson has been serving as VP merchandising in Kroger's Columbus division.

London -- Interbrand announced that it has acquired one of the United Kingdom’s leading international retail design consultancies, HMKM. The move, which recognizes the importance of brand experience in an increasing digital and omnichannel retail environment, brings together two highly complementary companies, uniquely prepared to meet the challenges of the current retail landscape, Interbrand said.

Although the Home Depot’s overall sales missed analysts' expectations, the retailer said the calendar shift, which resulted in one fewer week in the fourth quarter compared to the prior-year quarter, affected its results.  

The world's largest home improvement retailer reported fourth-quarter total sales of $17.7 billion, down 3% from the same quarter last year, which benefited from an extra week in the calendar. On a 13-week basis, the company's sales actually increased 3.9%.