Trading Partners

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer has expanded its program that supports Michigan small businesses to feature 55 new Michigan-made grocery products in all its stores statewide, Meijer co-chairman Doug Meijer announced Tuesday.

New York -- Walgreens reported a better-than-expected profit on flat sales for its second quarter Tuesday morning and unveiled an expanded partnership with AmerisourceBergen that could give the pharmacy operator an equity position and seat on the drug wholesaler’s board.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Anthea Jones has assumed the role of president at Bi-Lo. He will continue to serve as SVP operations. 

Jones comes to the position from the Bi-Lo side of the recent merger between regional supermarkets Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie. He signed on with Bi-Lo in 1999 after 17 years at Food Lion. He also is the immediate past board chairman for the Global Market Development Center. 

Jones succeeds Michael Byars in the position. Randall Onstead continues as president and CEO of the combined company, Bi-Lo Holdings.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike announced a strategic partnership with Swiss company Bluesign Technologies to accelerate the supply of more sustainable materials and chemistries for use in Nike products.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Real estate development firm Fimiani Development said that it has named Lindsey Alexander and Meredith Housman as VPs of leasing for the company.
 
Alexander and Housman will work with Simon Property Company, Kite Realty Group, Kimco and Office Depot and will focus on landlord representation as well as tenant representation.

Alexander was previously with Woolbright Development and Housman with Equity One.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool  has appointed Esther Berrozpe as president of the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and to the company's executive Committee. Berrozpe is currently VP European markets for the company's EMEA region.

"Esther is a proven global leader at Whirlpool Corp. Her experience in both Europe and North America is strong, and she is well-suited to lead our European business," said Jeff Fettig, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corp.

Mergers and acquisitions transaction activity in the U.S. retail sector jumped 39% in 2012 for deals greater than $50 million, while total deal value more than doubled. These gains point to an industry undergoing major changes, one that is attracting considerable interest from a wide range of players.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. said that Bruce Everette, 61, is retiring as EVP retail operations after a 44-year career at Safeway. He will be replaced by Kelly Griffith, currently the president of merchandising.

“We are deeply grateful to Bruce for his significant and lasting contribution to our company's success," said chairman and CEO Steve Burd. "He is the consummate operating executive whose results and people-oriented approach to the business leave an unmistakable imprint on who we are as a company."