Mass Merchant

Conservative spending behaviors that made 2015 a challenging year for consumer packaged goods companies will remain intact for 2016, according to IRI, but there will be pockets of growth available to those who capitalize on 10 trends.

Wal-Mart Stores has learned that TRC Capital Corporation has made an unsolicited “mini-tender” offer dated Jan. 20, 2016, the company announced Tuesday. TRC has offered to purchase up to 2 million shares of Walmart’s common stock at $59.88 per share. The offering price is approximately 4.3% below the closing price per share of Walmart’s common stock on Jan. 19, 2016, the last trading day before the commencement of the offer.

Walmart is not associated with TRC and recommends that shareholders reject this unsolicited offer.

Walmart and three of the nation’s largest bottled water suppliers are coming to the aid of Flint, Michigan, residents who lack access to safe drinking water after the municipal water supply became tainted with lead.

Walmart, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and PepsiCo are sending 176 truckloads of water to Flint – roughly 6.5 million bottles – which is an amount estimated to meet the daily needs of more than 10,000 children for the rest of the year.

Athletic wear giant Under Armour plans to open some 200 store in 2016, according to The Street. While the brand did not comment, the report said the expansion would likely include a mixture of store types, including outlet locations, “Brand House” stores, (the company’s full-price, experiential format) and in-store shops. [The Street]

In the name of creating a more efficient and focused organization, Staples announced several key senior leadership moves while its acquisition of rival Office Depot appears in jeopardy.

Shira Goodman, currently president, North American commercial, has been named president, North American operations with responsibility for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada.

Farmingdale, New York -- Kimco Realty Corp. announced that Stew Leonard’s has opened its newest location at Airport Plaza shopping center in Farmingdale, New York. The new 60,000 sq. ft. store will be located across from the existing Stew Leonard’s Wines of Farmingdale store.

The Farmingdale location is home to Stew Leonard’s fifth store and first grocery store location on Long Island.

In the name of creating a more efficient and focused organization, Staples announced several key senior leadership moves while its acquisition of rival Office Depot appears in jeopardy.

Shira Goodman, currently president, North American commercial, has been named president, North American operations with responsibility for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada.