News

Coppell, Texas – Alco Stores, Inc. is not accepting an acquisition proposal from Everbright Development Overseas, Ltd., Luis Chang and Mai Wong. The Alco board of directors has determined that the proposal, tendered on Sept. 6, is not a superior proposal to a roughly $47 million offer the retailer received from Argonne Capital Group LLC on July 25.

San Jose, Calif. -- Adobe Systems Inc. is upgrading Adobe Target, an element of the Adobe Marketing Cloud, with aims of easing the optimization of digital marketing efforts. The new solution features a completely redesigned, touch-based interface, as well as a step-by-step framework, with built-in best practices, for creating and implementing A/B testing and targeting activity.

By Greg Slusser, [email protected]

A case on the California Supreme Court’s docket questions whether or not a common law duty requires retailers to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) ready to use in stores to treat sudden cardiac arrest, which strikes about 380,000 Americans each year and is the leading cause of death in the U.S.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Private investment firm Yucaipa Cos., which was founded by billionaire Ron Burkle, plans to acquire Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market from U.K.-based Tesco PLC.

Yucaipa's purchase is slated to be complete within three months. In the meantime, it is expected to be business as usual for most Fresh & Easy stores.

SANDPOINT — Traffic to specialty retailer Coldwater Creek dropped in July leading to lower-than-expected sales for the second quarter ended Aug. 3. The company is taking several steps, including bringing in a new chief marketing officer, in an attempt to turn things around. 

Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $149.7 million, compared with $163.7 million in second quarter 2012. Net sales from the retail segment were $118.6 million, compared with $129.9 million in the same period last year. 

MONTREAL — Dollarama has opened 93 net new stores in the past 12 months, including 22 during the second quarter ended Aug. 4, for a total of 828. This accelerated growth helped drive sales for the quarter, which increased 16% to $511.3 million from $441.0 million in the prior-year quarter.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores has named Jeffrey W. Macak as the company’s EVP of supply chain. Macak will report to president and COO Mike Bloom.

Shopko is building on its 20-year relationship with the Green Bay Packers by unveiling the Shopko Gate, recent completed as part of Lambeau Field’s South End Zone expansion. Thousands of fans will enter the stadium through the new gate Sept. 15 for Green Bay’s first home game of the season.

FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Jelly Belly has introduced Camo Beans, a special selection of jelly beans inspired by the art of camouflage, as part of its initiative to support military families.

Jelly Belly Camo Beans come in 3.5-oz. bags in 12-ct. cases and come with seven flavors inside each bag: chocolate pudding, green apple, licorice, juicy pear, orange sherbet, toasted marshmallow and watermelon.

Dr. Mehmood Khan, EVP and chief scientific officer for PepsiCo, has been appointed to the CTO Forum Advisory Board. The CTO Forum brings together senior technology executives and business leaders to discuss and collaborate on key technology issues facing the industry and to accelerate innovation across organizations.