Strategy

New Canaan Conn. -- Gridiron Capital, LLC, in partnership with the founder and existing  management team of Quality Sollutions Inc. announced the acquisition of QSI.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods has nominated two candidates to serve on the company's board of directors.

St. Louis -- Panera Bread Co. announced that founder and executive chairman, Ron Shaich, and president and CEO, Bill Moreton, will become co-CEOs, effective immediately.

The announcement formalizes a relationship that has evolved over the last year and is a reflection of the way in which Shaich and Moreton have been operating as partners, the company said.

Each individual's formal title will be as follows: Ron Shaich, chairman of the board and co-CEO; Bill Moreton, president and co-CEO.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax has named a new executive to lead its merchandising initiatives including category management, strategic product planning, global sourcing, private label expansion and cost of goods sold. The company anounced that  Ronald Lalla has been named EVP, chief merchandising officer, effective Monday, March 19. He will report to Michael Lewis, EVP, president retail.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose 19% to $192 million, from $161.8 million last year. A profitable holiday season helped boost the discounter’s results, which met Wall Street expectations.

Sales surged almost 12% to $2.4 billion, and same-store sales increased 7%.

For the full year, Ross reported a net income rise of 18% to $657.2 million. Sales increased 9% to $8.6 billion, with same-store sales up 5%.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 surged to $33.5 million, from $5.3 million in the year-ago period. Without a $23 million trademark impairment charge, net income was $5 million in the quarter.

The retailer of big & tall men's apparel and accessories also reported flat fourth quarter sales of $111.5 million and a slight same-store sales increase of 0.8%.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- A former Safeway executive has joined Dollar General as its executive VP store operations.

Effective March 19, Greg Sparks will assume all responsibilities for the operations of more than 9,900 retail stores in 38 states and serve on Dollar General's real estate and store development committee, the company said. Sparks will report to chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling.

Sparks most recently served as president of Safeway's Seattle division. His departure from the supermarket retailer was announced earlier this week.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Ross Stores continues to deliver on consumers' demands for value and delivered a profitable fourth quarter that met Wall Street expectations. The company reported that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose 19% to $192 million, from $161.8 million last year. 

Sales surged almost 12% to $2.4 billion, and same-store sales increased 7%.

For the full year, Ross reported a net income rise of 18% to $657.2 million. Sales increased 9% to $8.6 billion, with same-store sales up 5%.