Supermarket/Grocery

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — Stéphane Gonthier, chief operating officer at Dollarama since September 2007, will be leaving the company to become president and CEO of 99 Cents Only Stores, as well as a member of its board. 

Gonthier’s appointment is expected to become effective in the next 60 days. Interim CEO Richard Anicetti, a successful food retailing executive, will return to his role solely as a member of the board.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — David H. Murdock, Dole’s chairman and CEO, has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Dole Food Company to acquire for cash all outstanding shares of Dole common stock not currently held by him and his affiliates. 

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer is expanding its mPerks digital coupon program to include pharmacy purchases, allowing customers to earn $10 off their total shopping purchase, 5% off total grocery and health-and-beauty purchases or 50 cents off per gallon of Meijer gas for every five eligible prescriptions filled. Customers can also hang onto their rewards and keep filling prescriptions to earn double rewards, saving as much as $1 per gallon on gas or $20 off their next shopping visit.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As Meijer continues its expansion agenda, with plans to open nine new stores and hire 9,000 employees, it has also expanded its mPerks digital coupon program. 

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for July 2013

Shopper activity increased last month, as ShopperTrak anticipated. Retail foot traffic increased 5.2% in July compared to June 2013. This is in line with recently reported positive month-over-month retail trends. However, foot traffic for July 2013 dropped compared to the same month in 2012 — with a decrease of 2.3%.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer is preparing to hire thousands of new team members for its stores in response to company growth and in preparation for the fall and holiday selling seasons. While staffing needs vary from store to store, all Meijer stores have positions available. Broken down by state, Meijer plans 4,400 new hires in Michigan, 1,800 in Indiana, 1,600 in Ohio, 900 in Illinois and 500 in Kentucky.

SEATTLE -- Amazon's grocery service might be making its way to New York next year, according to published reports.

Citing analysis from SunTrust analyst Robert Peck, EcommerceBytes.com reported that the Seattle-based online retailer may start offering Amazon Fresh in New York in 2014, based on his finding that the company had expanded into a New Jersey warehouse previously used by C&S Wholesale Grocers.

OAKBROOK, Ill. — TreeHouse Foods has entered into an agreement with TorQuest Partners and other shareholders to acquire Associated Brands GP Corporation, a leading private label manufacturer of powdered drinks, specialty teas and sweeteners.