MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy has launched digital coupons and a new mobile app that the retailer said makes the e-coupons easier to use. Fred’s said late Monday that hundreds of digital coupons will be available, including for brand-name products with “discounts over and above Fred’s everyday low prices.” Customers will also receive exclusive deals
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) and Rite Aid Corp. announced on June 29 that their merger is off, which goes to show you that nothing is certain in the world of retail mergers and acquisitions, especially with the U.S. government involved. The long and somewhat tumultuous process of WBA’s proposed acquisition of Rite Aid, which
NEW YORK — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Rite Aid Corp. are rescheduling the waiting period for a downsized store sale agreement reached upon the termination of their planned merger. According filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, WBA and Rite Aid agreed to withdraw their initial Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act notification and
NEW YORK — With the acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. by Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) now canceled and replaced by a smaller transaction, the chain drug landscape will retain a more familiar look. Nonetheless, all three parties to the original deal, which involved the purchase of 865 Rite Aid locations by Fred’s Inc., will
MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc. has appointed Jason Jenne as chief financial officer. He succeeds Rick Hans, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. Hans will remain in an advisory capacity until August 18 to ease Jenne’s transition. “Jason’s leadership experience and in-depth knowledge of finance and operations ideally qualify him to be the next chief
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy reported decreased revenue and same-store sales for June but noted positive results in its pharmacy business. Fred’s said Thursday that for the five weeks ended July 1, sales totaled $197.5 million, down 5.3% from $208.5 million a year earlier. The company attributed the decline the closing of 39 underperforming stores
NEW YORK — Nielsen has renewed its data insights and analytics services pact with Fred’s Inc., expanding the companies’ long-term relationship. Under the agreement, Nielsen will become the exclusive account-level data provider for Fred’s Pharmacy, covering metrics for all 601 Fred’s discount general merchandise stores in 15 states across the southeastern United States, as well
MEMPHIS — The overhaul of Fred’s Inc. will continue despite the collapse of its pending purchase of 865 stores in connection with the now abandoned Walgreens-Rite Aid merger, the regional chain said yesterday. “While the acquisition of additional stores was an opportunity for growth, we always viewed it as a potential outcome that would accelerate
Twenty months ago, Walgreens Boots Alliance announced a $17.2 billion deal to acquire Rite Aid Corp. On Thursday, in the wake of a protracted antitrust review by the Federal Trade Commission, the two companies opted to call of the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger and struck a new agreement. Under the new deal, WBA is slated to
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy has procured $550 million in additional funding for its deal to buy up to 1,200 Rite Aid stores in connection with the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger. In an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Fred’s said that for a second time it has amended and restated a commitment
NEW YORK — The Federal Trade Commission is readying a lawsuit to block the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger deal, according to published reports. Citing policy news service Capital Forum, which analyzes the antitrust review of mergers and acquisitions, Investors Business Daily said on Friday that the FTC was “preparing advice” to take action against the transaction,
NEW YORK — In a memo to employees this week, Rite Aid Corp.’s top executives appear to acknowledge that the company’s acquisition by Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) may not be cleared by the Federal Trade Commission. “We remain actively engaged in discussions with the FTC to attempt to gain regulatory approval, and there can be
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) has taken action to force the hand of federal regulators deciding whether to approve its pending acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. WBA and Rite Aid last month notified the Federal Trade Commission that they have complied with the agency’s second request for information on the deal. While
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For the fifth consecutive year, Fred’s Inc. recognized Colon Cancer Awareness Month by giving away free at-home EZ Detect screening kits designed to detect signs of colon cancer and rectal cancer in the early stages, when they are most treatable. The retailer, which operates 601 pharmacy and general merchandise stores in 15
