Supply Chain & Merchandising

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens announced Tuesday several senior-management shifts intended to capitalize on its new partnership with Swiss drugstore chain Alliance Boots.

CFO Wade Miquelon is assuming an expanded and global leadership role at Walgreens as executive VP/CFO and president, international, leading a newly named Value Creation Services and International Division.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99 Cents Only has leased 40 new compressed natural gas-powered tractors from Ryder.

The new CNG trucks will operate exclusively in the Southern California market, making store deliveries and picking up goods from vendors. As part of its full-service lease, Ryder will provide both the CNG tractors, as well as maintenance for the vehicles. The chain said the tractors will replace its oldest diesel burning units with cleaner CNG rigs, making it one of the largest private Class-8 CNG fleets in Southern California.

Chicago -- A study released on Tuesday by BDO USA found that retailers are generally confident that year-end sales will top last year’s. According to the sixth-annual BDO Retail Compass Survey of CFOs, which examined the opinions of 100 leading retail CFOs nationwide, retailers are expecting a 4.5% increase in total 2012 sales.

Commerce, Calif. -- 99 Cents Only Stores said Tuesday it has leased 40 new compressed natural gas powered tractors from Ryder, which will replace diesel burning units with cleaner CNG rigs.

The move is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of the fleet and its CO2 emissions by up to 25%, said Eric Schiffer, CEO.  

The new CNG trucks will operate exclusively in the Southern California market, making store deliveries and picking up goods from vendors.

Orchids Paper Products Company was recognized as Dollar General’s private label vendor of the year at the retailer’s annual vendor summit.

Orchids said it received the award in recognition of its innovation, dependability and excellence in its partnership with Dollar General.　

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Monday announced that it has completed its purchase of 144 stores operating under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May’s Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners located in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The acquisition also includes corporate offices, a distribution center located in Pine Bluff, Ark., and a wholesale and private brand business, for a total of approximately $438 million subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Tuesday announced several new senior management roles, including an expanded role for CFO Wade Miquelon and the appointment of current senior VP and chief strategy officer Robert Zimmerman as the lead executive responsible for the Walgreens-Alliance Boots' "synergy team." Succeeding Zimmerman as chief strategy officer will be Brad Fluegel.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Despite its interest in making a New York City debut in a new Brooklyn neighborhood shopping center, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Friday it was unable to agree to economic terms for a new store. Instead, developer Related Cos. struck a deal with ShopRite to open a new grocery store at the 630,000-sq.-ft. Gateway II shopping center planned for Brooklyn.