Convenience Stores

Panera Bread has been acquired by a European firm with a growing U.S. presence.     The fast-casual bakery/café brand has agreed to be acquired by JAB Holding Company, the investment arm of the Reimanns of Germany, for $7.5 billion, including the assumption of about $340 million in debt.    JAB’s U.S. holdings include Krispy Kreme Caribou Coffee, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc., Peet's Coffee & Tea, and Keurig Green Mountain.   

Walgreens is still confident in its ability to close the Rite Aid transaction, but will force the issue if it comes to that, Stefano Pessina, executive vice chairman and CEO Walgreens Boots Alliance, told analysts Wednesday morning.  

The key to delivering top-notch customer service — and responding to changes in the shopping experience — is to give associates visibility into information.   

Canadian discounter Dollarama is upping its store growth plans—and by a considerable number.   The chain, which operates some 1,000 stores across Canada, has revised its long-term target from 1,400 locations to 1,700.   “This provides Dollarama with several years of additional footprint growth,” stated Neil Rossy, president and CEO, Dollarama, which sells a variety of merchandise at fixed price points up to C$4.00.   

As German discount giant Lidl prepares to enter the U.S. market, Save-A-Lot is bringing in a new chief executive officer whose resume includes a 13-year stint at the European chain.      The discount supermarket chain has appointed Kenneth McGrath as CEO, effective April 21, 2017. He succeeds Eric Claus, whose departure was described as a “mutually agreed” parting of the ways.   

When Michael Murphy started his career as a mall marketing director with Ernest W. Hahn in California, the Beatles had just recently broken up and enclosed malls were the new wave in retail. Now, after four years as director of retail services at Cushman & Wakefield, Murphy has returned  to R. J. Brunelli  & Co.to take up his former position as senior sales associate.  

Dollar General is set to grow its already considerable footprint through an acquisition.   The discounter will acquire all 323 stores from Dollar Express, according to the Charlotte Observer.    

It’s a new day at Starbucks Corp.   Kevin Johnson officially took over as CEO of Starbucks on Monday, April 3. Outgoing CEO Howard Schultz continues on at the company as executive chairman, and will focus on the development of  Starbucks’ new formats, Reserve Roasteries and Starbucks Reserve,  and the company’s social impact initiatives.