News

Office Depot shareholders say ‘yes’
Boca Raton, Fla. — A deal that would leave the nation with one giant office-supply retailer is one step nearer to completion.

Office Depot shareholders have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed $6.3 billion buyout offer from rival Staples Inc., with 99.5 % of the votes cast in favor of the merger.

Staples proposed to acquire Office Depot in February in a cash-and-stock deal. Under the deal, Office Depot shareholders will get $7.25 per share in cash and 0.2188 of a share in Staples stock for each Office Depot share held.
Combatant Gentlemen going after wedding business with The Groom's Suite
Irvine, Calif. — Online menswear retailer Combatant Gentlemen Inc. is seeking to expand one of the fastest-growing segments of its business.

The company has launched The Groom's Suite, an online dashboad offering suits starting at $160 and tuxes starting at $200, to attract budget-conscious brides and grooms who prefer to buy rather than rent.

Abercrombie annual meeting: Changing of the guard

New York — Less drama and fewer flipflops — those were some of the changes at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s annual meeting on Thursday, Columbus Business First reports. It was the first annual gathering since longtime, controversial CEO Michael Jefferies left the company. For the full story, click here.
Aeropostale not replacing departing exec

New York — Aeropostale is losing a key executive and not replacing her.

The retailer announced that its chief merchandiser, Executive VP Emilia Fabricant, is leaving the company. Effective immediately, the company's senior merchandising team will report to CEO Julian R. Geiger.

The retailer said there are no plans to seek a replacement for Fabricant at this time.
Kroger’s King Soopers extend organic, omnichannel reach

Cincinnati —The Kroger Co.’s King Soopers division is tapping into consumers’ growing appetite for food delivery and natural and organic products with a new digital initiative.

The company has launched a new website that offers over 36,000 natural and organic products for customers who live in and around the Denver metro area. Every product is free from more than 101 artificial ingredients and preservatives that many customers prefer to be left out of products.
Brookwood Village unveils remodel plans for redevelopment

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cypress Equities, the management company for Brookwood Village, announced its plans for updating the interior of the two-level shopping center that straddles the communities of Homewood and Mountain Brook.
Kroger testing grocery delivery in Colorado

The King Soopers grocery chain is trying to meet rising demand for fresh food delivery with a new digital initiative.

King Soopers, a division of the Kroger Co. has launched an e-commerce website KingSoopers.com/LiveNaturally.
Home Depot exec 1 of 2 new BN board members

Barnes & Noble Inc. has appointed a Home Depot president and a former executive of PaineWebber as two new independent directors to its board ahead of the company's separation of its retail and college businesses.

The new board members are Ann-Marie Campbell, president of the southern division of Home Depot, and Paul B. Guenther, former president of PaineWebber Group Inc., the parent company of Paine Webber, Incorporated.
Amazon to open FC in Target's backyard

Ever-growing Amazon.com Inc. is expanding its e-commerce capabilities in Target's home turf.

The e-commerce behemoth has announced it will open an 850,000 square foot fulfillment center in the Minneapolis area, its first DC in the state of Minnesota.
Staples/Office Depot deal awaits FTC action

Office Depot shareholders approved of the company’s acquisition by Staples in a vote that will prove to be largely symbolic if federal regulators determine a deal involving two direct competitors is not in the best interest of consumers.

Office Depot agreed to be acquired by Staples on Feb. 4 and on June 19 a preliminary vote total showed that 99.5% of shareholders approved of a deal that involves them receiving $7.25 in cash and 0.2188 of Staples stock for each share of Office Depot stock.
NRF urges Senate to pass TPA bill

The National Retail Federation is urging the Senate to quickly consider the stand-alone Trade Promotion Authority bill so that it can move to the president’s desk for his signature.

NRF issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French:
Head merchant at Aeropostale is out

Aeropostale is losing a key executive and handing over merchandising responsibilities to the company's CEO.