News

Seattle – Starbucks Corporation has reportedly applied to trademark the term “Fizzio.” According to the Associated Press, the trademark would cover beverage-making machines as well as beverages, including soft drinks.

A Starbucks spokesperson is quoted as saying the filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is related to tests of flavored sodas and other carbonated beverages in the Austin, Texas, and Atlanta markets the retailer has been running since June, which so far have been successful.

El Segundo, Calif. -- The fast-growing fashion subscription online retailer, JustFab, announced it has secured $40 million in Series C funding led by Hong Kong-based Shining Capital Management to further its expansion plans. The company recently opened its first store, at the Glendale Galleria, Glendale, Calif.

New York -- J.C. Penney on Thursday shot back at reports that its sales were weak in the late August and early September back-to-school season and said it was pleased with the progress of its turnaround efforts.

The company said it still expected positive comparable-store sales trends coming out of the third quarter and throughout the fourth, adding that its online sales continue to rise in double-digits over last year.

Elemica, a leading supply chain operating network provider for the process industries, has promoted Ed Rusch to VP of corporate marketing. 

By Derek Warburton, [email protected]

Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarkets, has filed a registration statement on a proposed initial public offering.  

The shares are expected to be offered by Southeastern Grocers, and the number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank Securities will act as representatives of the underwriters for the offering, and, together with William Blair and Wells Fargo Securities, will act as joint book-running managers for the offering. 

Tewksbury, Mass. – DeMoulas Supermarkets Inc., operator of the Market Basket supermarket chain, has reportedly been allowed by a judge in Suffolk Superior Court in Massachusetts to continue making a $300 million payout to shareholders.

According to the Boston Globe, Judge Judith Fabricant denied a motion by Arthur T. DeMoulas, president of DeMoulas Supermarkets, to stop the payout, which had been approved by a majority of the company’s board of directors. All nine shareholders receiving the payout are members of the DeMoulas family.

Plano, Texas – J.C. Penney Company Inc. reportedly seeks to raise $750 million to $1 billion in cash equity. According to Reuters, J.C. Penney, which is valued at $2.6 billion, is considering issuing new stock shares as well as other unspecified alternatives.