Corporate Governance

New York -- In separate announcements on Thursday, Bi-Lo Holdings and Harris Teeter on Thursday announced plans to acquire select Piggly Wiggly-branded stores.

Bi-Lo said it has entered into a definitive agreement with Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company to acquire 22 Piggly Wiggly stores in South Carolina and coastal Georgia.  

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Toronto -- Shareholders of Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart voted in favor of the drugstore chain’s proposed acquisition by Loblaw Cos.

The transaction was approved by approximately 99.89% of the votes cast by all of the Shoppers Drug Mart shareholders eligible to vote.

As previously reported, Loblaw Cos. and Shoppers Drug Mart announced on July 15 a definitive agreement under which Loblaw will acquire Shoppers Drug Mart for C$12.4 billion in cash and stock.

Walnut Creek, Calif. – The percentage of retailers who consider their marketing department to be an owner of customer data has more than doubled in the past year. According to a new RSR Research survey, “Retail Marketing 2013: Organizational Drift,” 61% of 122 retail respondents surveyed online between May and July of this year listed marketing as a customer data owner, compared to 33% in 2012.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples plans to open a dedicated to e-commerce and engineering center in Seattle that will house teams responsible for driving major initiatives to enhance areas, including next generation digital platforms, personalization, and big-data. It will be the chain’s first office on the West Coast.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger C0.’s second-quarter net income rose 14%, helped by lower charges and increased revenue. The supermarket company also lifted the low end of its fiscal 2013 outlook for a key revenue metric.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced that it has signed agreements with two franchise groups to begin developing Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the United Kingdom. The two agreements call for the development of 50 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Greater London over the next five years, with an initial focus on North London and East London.

Fremont, Calif. -- The Men's Wearhouse Inc.'s fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 28% amid several one-time charges and a shift in quarterly tuxedo rental revenues. Citing macroeconomic challenges, the company lowered its fiscal 2013 guidance.

Corpus Christie, Texas -- Susser Holdings Corp. announced that Sam L. Susser has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of SUSS, effective immediately. He will retain his position as CEO of the company, which he has held since 1992.

Bruce W. Krysiak, the current board chairman, will become lead independent director.  

Davenport, Iowa -- Von Maur Department Stores will open its first location in the Northeast, at Eastview Mall in Victor, N.Y., which is located just outside of Rochester. The two-level, 140,000-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open on Oct. 26.

Located at the mall's former Bon Ton location, the store underwent a complete reconstruction by local contractor LaChase Construction to achieve Von Maur's signature exterior brick façade with arching entryways accented by a copper roof and cupolas.

West Orange, N.J. — Paul V. Profeta and Associates, a real estate investment firm, has completed the sale of 12 Walgreens properties in nine states to Inland Real Estate Acquisitions. The purchase price was $60 million or more than $330 per square foot.

All of the properties are occupied under long-term 75-year triple-net leases with the Walgreens pharmacy chain. Walgreens has the right to cancel after 25 years.