Supply Chain & Merchandising

Milo, Maine -- JSI Store Fixtures announced that it had completed the acquisition of KMP Fixtures of Atlanta, and Chicago. KMP Fixtures is a successful, long-time fixture supplier to the retail equipment industry.

The acquisition of KMP strengthens JSI's position as one of the largest wood merchandising fixture manufactures in the United States.
 

HOUSTON — Stage Stores has announced that Mike Searles has joined the company as president and COO of its South Hill division, which is headquartered in South Hill, Va. Searles, who will report to Rich Maloney, EVP and chief merchandising officer, will be responsible for all operations of the South Hill division, including merchandising, planning and allocation, and store operations.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets earlier this week named Regina Tator as its director of private brands.

Tator succeeds Bruno Garisto, who was recently named VP center store sales and merchandising. Tator will oversee the product development and sales and marketing for the company’s 6,300 private-brand products, including center store, healthy and beauty care, and perishable private products.

New York City -- Kohl’s said it has notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it is delaying filing its second quarter filing as its deals with previously reported errors in its accounting for both store and equipment leases. 

As a result of these and other less significant accounting corrections, Kohl's expects to record additional property and financing obligations on its balance sheet. The company said it doesn't expect the corrections to have an impact on the net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents reported.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — At a special meeting held Friday, BJ's Wholesale Club stockholders approved the definitive agreement between the company and Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners to be acquired in an all-cash transaction valued at about $2.8 billion.

BJ's anticipates the closing of the transaction, which was announced in late June, will occur around the end of the month.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. reported Friday that net income in the second quarter rose 7.3% to $280.8 million. The company said earnings got a boost from tax adjustments and sales at its gas stations.

Sales increased 11.5% to $20.9 billion. Same-store sales were up 5.3%.

“Our ongoing investments in the four keys -- our people, products, prices and the shopping experience -- continued to enhance our connection with customers and drive positive identical sales growth,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger’s chairman and CEO.

New York City -- Aldi is close to making a deal to open its first supermarket in Manhattan, Craine’s New York reported.

The German discount grocer opened its first store in New York City, in Queens, last year. According to Craine’s, Aldi is set to lease space at East River Plaza, located between 116th St. and 119 St. in Harlem. The shopper center already boasts such tenants as Target, Best Buy and the city’s first Costco.

New York City -- Marsh Supermarket will spend $60 million to build up to 10 stores and remodel or rebuild several more over the next three years, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.

The new stores will average 40,000 sq. ft. to 60,000 sq. ft. with a strong focus on fresh fruits and vegetables and service-oriented components, according to the report.

Marsh operates of 70 namesake stores and 27 smaller-format Mainstreet Market stores. It is privately held, a portfolio company of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners.