Trading Partners

DALLAS — Alliance Data Systems Corp. announced that its Canadian coalition loyalty business has signed a new multi-year agreement with Toys“R”Us, Canada to issue air miles reward miles in its 73 stores across Canada effective March 23.

The Air Miles Reward Program is Canada’s premier coalition loyalty program, with approximately two-thirds of Canadian households actively collecting reward miles.

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

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

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- In a move to ensure that vendors continue to supply Sears its goods, Sears Holdings Corp.'s top shareholder ESL Investments, a hedge fund owned by Edward Lampert, has agreed to assume some payment obligations.

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday and reported by Reuters, Sears said ESL made a deal on Jan. 26 with a financial institution to acquire 80% interest in an agreement designed to ensure payment to vendors in the event of a bankruptcy filing by a company.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR has honored Office Depot with the 2011 NASCAR Driving Business Award for its leadership  and results through their participation in the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council (NFFB). 

The award was bestowed upon NASCAR’s Official Office Supply Partner at a ceremony in Las Vegas during the most recent NFFB Council Meeting. Office Depot is also the co-primary sponsor of reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Tony Stewart, and the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it will acquire a 28.7% equity stake in Klépierre from BNP Paribas for approximately $2 billion.

Klépierre is a Paris-based real estate company that focuses on the ownership, management and development of shopping centers, retail properties and offices across Continental Europe. Klépierre’s portfolio includes 271 shopping centers in 13 countries, with 50% of its properties in France and Belgium, 25% in Scandinavia, and the balance in Central and Southern Europe.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Bi-Lo has announced that it has successfully completed its merger with Winn-Dixie Stores. The two banners now will be subsidiaries of privately held parent company Bi-Lo Holding. Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie will continue to operate under the same banners, and the company said it does not expect any store closures as a result of the merger.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu, which already has committed to providing customers with sustainably-sourced wild-caught seafood, has taken the next steps to ensure its farm-raised seafood is also sourced responsibly. The company announced that it is partnering with the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) to implement a new, comprehensive procurement policy to ensure sustainable sourcing of farm-raised seafood.