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Report: Walgreens-Rite Aid merger set to go

Report: Walgreens-Rite Aid merger set to go

After being announced well over a year ago and endless speculation, it looks like the Federal Trade Commission is set to sign off on Walgreens Boots Alliance’s planned acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. The New York Post reported late Wednesday evening that WBA is bullish that it’s latest store divestiture proposal will sway the FTC

Fred’s appoints senior VPs of merchandising, supply chain

Fred’s appoints senior VPs of merchandising, supply chain

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Inc. has appointed senior vice presidents for general merchandise and consumables merchandising, including the hiring of a former CVS Health executive, and named a senior vice president to oversee its supply chain. The discount and pharmacy retailer said late Monday that Gregory Froton has joined the company as senior VP of

Fred’s readies funding to buy more Rite Aid stores

Fred’s readies funding to buy more Rite Aid stores

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Inc. has amended a revolving credit facility in the event that it must acquire additional Rite Aid stores in connection with the pending Walgreens-Rite Aid merger. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Fred’s is increasing its revolving loan commitment to $225 million from $150 million. Among other

Jury still out on WBA-Rite Aid merger deal

Jury still out on WBA-Rite Aid merger deal

WASHINGTON — The acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. by Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) Inc. remained unconsummated after WBA’s plan to divest 865 stores failed to erase antitrust regulators’ competitive concerns. When the Friday, January 27, deadline for completing the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger deal arrived, the Federal Trade Commission still hadn’t cleared the transaction, despite the

Fred’s finishes fiscal year with sales declines

Fred’s finishes fiscal year with sales declines

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Sales continued to slide at Fred’s Inc., as the discount and pharmacy retailer reported decreases for its fiscal 2016 fourth quarter and full year and January 2017. Fred’s said Thursday that January sales totaled $148.1 million, down 5.6% from $156.9 million a year earlier. Same-store sales for the month fell 4.8%, compared

Fred’s: Deal to buy Rite Aid stores still in effect

Fred’s: Deal to buy Rite Aid stores still in effect

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Inc. has reaffirmed its $950 million deal to buy 865 Rite Aid stores to be divested for antitrust clearance of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s pending acquisition of Rite Aid Corp. Fred’s said late Monday that “the asset purchase agreement it entered into on Dec. 19, 2016, with Walgreens and Rite Aid remains

A new player in WBA-Rite Aid-FTC talks?

A new player in WBA-Rite Aid-FTC talks?

As the clock winds down on today’s deal end date for the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger, a report of a new potential player has emerged. Citing anonymous sources, the New York Post reported Friday that private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management has expressed interest in the 865 Rite Aid stores that Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite

Stefano Pessina: Rite Aid deal talks ‘ongoing’

Stefano Pessina: Rite Aid deal talks ‘ongoing’

NEW YORK — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is still negotiating with the Federal Trade Commission to gain antitrust clearance for its $17 billion deal to acquire Rite Aid Corp., WBA executive vice chairman and chief executive officer Stefano Pessina said at the company’s annual shareholders meeting. “The FTC is doing its job. The process is

Reports: Rite Aid shares briefly halt over FTC concerns

Reports: Rite Aid shares briefly halt over FTC concerns

Trading of Rite Aid shares was briefly halted on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday when the stock price sank following published reports that the Federal Trade Commission is iffy about antitrust concessions for approval of the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger. Rite Aid shares suspended trading after dropping 18% but resumed minutes later, TheStreet.com reported.

Walgreens Boots Alliance posts mixed 1Q results

Walgreens Boots Alliance posts mixed 1Q results

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) edged past Wall Street’s adjusted earnings per share forecast in its fiscal 2017 first quarter despite declined sales and net income. WBA also reported Thursday that it’s still working to finalize its $17 billion deal to acquire Rite Aid Corp. and continues to expect to complete the transaction

Fred’s agrees to acquire 865 Rite Aid stores

Fred’s agrees to acquire 865 Rite Aid stores

NEW YORK — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) and Rite Aid Corp. have agreed to sell 865 Rite Aid stores and related assets to Fred’s Inc. for $950 million in cash. The deal is subject to approval by the Federal Trade Commission as well as approval and completion of the pending WBA acquisition of Rite

A momentous development for three Rx chains

A momentous development for three Rx chains

The agreement struck last month for the sale of 865 Rite Aid Corp. drug stores to Fred’s Inc. is a momentous development for those companies, as well as Walgreens Boots Alliance, which after 14 months is still working to finalize the acquisition of Rite Aid. The $950 million all-cash deal will bring Fred’s stores and

New year to answer key questions in chain drug retailing

New year to answer key questions in chain drug retailing

The new year is finally here. On balance, 2016 was a year best forgotten. Very few events of a positive nature will be remembered. On the other hand, many unsettling moments would best be reviewed at another time — if at all. As 2017 dawns, several important questions remain to be resolved, a few of

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