Loblaw Companies, Ltd.

Loblaw has appointed Pavi Binning, George Weston Limited president, as a director on the company’s board.

Binning has been a director of George Weston Limited since 2012. He joined the company in 2010 as CFO after spending a year as a director of Loblaw Companies Limited. Prior to joining Weston, Binning was at Nortel Networks Corporation, where he held the role of CFO and subsequently chief restructuring officer. Prior to that, Binning held CFO positions at both Hanson plc and Marconi Corporation plc, as well as executive positions at Diageo plc.

Cambridge, Mass. – Hosted visual merchandising solutions provider RBM Technologies Inc. has hired Ken Sonberg as chief technology officer. Sonberg was previously VP development at enterprise mobility provider Mobiquity and also served as VP development at BCGI.

Cambridge, Mass. – Retail visual merchandising solution provider RBM Technologies has named E.Y. Snowden its new president and CEO. Snowden was previously CEO of Boston Communications Group and president of APC/Sprint Spectrum.

In addition, RBM has closed a $9.5 million round of growth equity financing led by Spring Lake Equity Partners. RBM plans to use the financing to enhance its products and enter the international mobile market and new retail verticals.

Facing an increasingly competitive retail landscape, Canadian retailer Loblaw Cos. posted a slight lift in retail sales but, due to incremental margin investment in the back half of the year, lowered its earnings growth expectations for 2013.

However, company executives are optimistic as the company remains focused on investing in what it refers to as the “customer proposition” and looks forward to its acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.

New York -- The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved Loblaw Cos.’ acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.

Completion of the arrangement remains conditional on compliance with the Competition Act and certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of first quarter 2014.

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.

TORONTO — It is easy to see why Loblaw wanted to acquire Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart following the release of second quarter results that highlight attractive growth prospects.

Canada’s Shoppers Drug Mart saw a boost in second-quarter sales and earnings, and according to president and CEO Domenic Pilla, the company is “well-positioned heading into the back half of the year.”

TORONTO — Loblaw has entered into a definitive agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart under which Loblaw will acquire Shoppers Drug Mart for C$12.4 billion in cash and stock.