Strategy

NEW YORK — Affinity Solutions, a provider of transaction-based marketing programs for financial institutions and retailers in the United States, announced that John Brennan has joined as VP business development.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores said Monday that it has named Paul White as executive VP, chief merchandising officer. He will report to Michael Bloom, president and COO.

White joined Family Dollar in 2011 as senior VP, apparel, home and seasonal. Before joining the company, he served as the past president, CEO, and director of Goody’s, where he refocused the merchandising and marketing strategies on the core customer while leading the company’s exit from bankruptcy.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Monday that, on the eighth day of its "12 Days of Giving" Facebook campaign, it is awarding $140,000 to nine nonprofits aiding veterans, active members of the military and their families.

Over 12 consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 145 organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Paul White to the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer. White will report to Mike Bloom, president and COO.

“Through Paul’s leadership and strategic vision, Family Dollar has created a compelling mix of discretionary merchandise, which has led to a more fun place to shop for our customers,” Bloom said. “Paul’s promotion will help us continue to broaden our appeal and deliver greater value to our customers.”

Greenville, S.C. -- Grocer Bi-Lo LLC said Monday that it has acquired southern supermarket chain Winn-Dixie, in a $560 million transaction that will take Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. private and create the largest grocery operator in the South.

The merger will combine Winn-Dixie’s 480 supermarkets in five southern states (Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi) with Bi-Lo’s 207 stores in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee to create a company with 690 stores and 63,000 workers in eight states.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Monday it will keep stores nationwide open for the 112 hours before Christmas, with doors staying open from 6 a.m. Dec. 20, to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

This is the second consecutive year that the retailer has remained open for 24-hour shopping in the days leading up to Christmas.

The Toys “R” Us flagship in New York City’s Times Square is staying open even longer, having been open since 6 a.m. on Dec. 16 and not closing until Christmas Eve.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — BI-LO and Winn-Dixie Stores on Monday announced that the companies will merge to create an organization of approximately 690 grocery stores and 63,000 employees in eight states throughout the Southeastern United States.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, BI-LO will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Winn-Dixie stock in the merger. Winn-Dixie shareholders will receive $9.50 in cash per share of Winn-Dixie common stock, representing a premium of approximately 75% over the closing price of Winn-Dixie common stock on Dec. 16.

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Friday that grants hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks and incentives aimed at keeping Sears Holdings Corp., along with CME Group Inc., which operates the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, headquartered in Illinois.

Lawmakers approved the business tax breaks earlier this month, but Quinn had not yet signed the bill. Both companies had openly threatened to leave the state without some kind of significant aid package.