Supermarket/Grocery

A company that achieved global fame for its simple glazed doughnuts has been acquired by the owners of a growing coffee empire. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has agreed to be acquired by JAB Beech Inc., a unit of German investment firm JAB Holding Company, for about $1.35 billion. The deal, which would take Krispy Kreme private, is the most recent in a string of purchases by JAB Holdings, including its acquisition in late 2015 of single-serve coffee maker Keurig Green Mountain.

Roche Bros. may only operate 19 local stores, but still thinks big when it comes to meeting customer demand wherever it exists. The Massachusettes-based chain has selected Unata to build an enhanced e-commerce and omnichannel shopping experience. The new e-commerce platform will be available at 18 of its Roche Bros. and Sudbury Farms stores, which will feature a home delivery option in eastern and central Massachusetts and a curbside pickup option at a growing number of locations.

BJ's Wholesale Club has appointed Lee Delaney as executive VP, chief growth officer, effective May 9.

Delaney will be responsible for the company's merchandising and supply chain organization.

Prior to joining BJ's, Delaney was a partner in the Boston office of Bain & Company, and a leader in the firm's consumer products practice.

Prior to joining Bain in 1996, he worked for Electronic Data Systems and Deloitte Consulting advising clients on a variety of engagements.

Five retail chains rank among the top 10 brands doing a poor job when it comes to emotional engagement, a measure of how well brands meet consumer expectations, according to an annual survey.

Both Walmart Canada and Loblaw companies sent financial aid to support the relief efforts in the Fort McMurray community. According to reports published Friday morning, fires in the province of Alberta have to date forced the evacution of 88,000 residents and destroyed more than 1,600 structures.

Whole Foods Market reported better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter amid cost controls that helped lessen the impact of slowing sales.

Net income was a better-than-expected $142 million for the quarter ended April 10.

Sales inched up 1.3% to $3.7 billion, slightly below estimates.

Slow traffic at its California stores proved a drag for Costco Wholesale Corp. in April.

The retailer reported flat same-store sales in April, below analysts’ estimates of a 1.2% increase.

Total sales in April rose 3% to $8.98 billion, helped by strength in Canada.

Excluding gasoline-price fluctuations and currency exchange rates, U.S. same-store sales rose 2%, below estimates for growth of 3.4%. Same-store sales in Canada increased 2% overall and 7% when excluding gas prices and currency.

The Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled retail landscape continues evolving with the launch of what could be called a “fridge commerce” (or “f-commerce”) solution by Samsung.

After months of hype, the Samsung Family Hub connected fridge is officially available. The interactive device includes a number of features that streamline the digital grocery process.