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Mike Bloom

Fred’s looks to sell specialty pharmacy business

Fred’s looks to sell specialty pharmacy business

MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc. has announced plans to sell its specialty pharmacy business. The disclosure led the company to delay publication of its fourth quarter and 2017 full-year results. An earnings call that was slated for today is now expected to be held May 4. A filing yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission says

Jenne becomes CFO at Fred’s

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

WBA’s Pessina still bullish about Rite Aid acquisition

WBA’s Pessina still bullish about Rite Aid acquisition

NEW YORK — Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) executive vice chairman and chief executive officer Stefano Pessina has expressed confidence that the company’s planned merger with Rite Aid Corp. will be approved by the end of July. “I am still optimistic that we will bring this deal to a successful conclusion, but there is no

Fred’s appoints retail veterans to its board

MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc. recently announced three new members — industry veterans Christopher Bodine, Peter Bocian and Mike Bloom — to its board of directors. At the same time, the company announced the retirement of Michael Hayes, John Eisenman and Jerry Shore from the board. During his 24-year tenure at CVS Caremark Corp., Bodine held

Fred’s strengthens management team

MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc. has strengthened its executive leadership team with two recent hires and a promotion. Most recently the regional discount and drug chain added Gregory Froton as senior vice president of merchandising, general merchandise, and promoted Kimberley Felice-Dooley to the position of senior vice president of merchandising, consumables. In December the company appointed

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

Fred’s poised to be chain drug player

Fred’s poised to be chain drug player

Though Fred’s name came up in the buzz surrounding the Walgreens-Rite Aid merger talks with the FTC, the Southeastern retailer’s move to buy 865 Rite Aid stores for $950 million in cash from Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) still was surprising. After all, not even two weeks ago, Fred’s reported poor third-quarter results (including a net

Fred’s posts 3Q loss, plans to close 40 stores

Fred’s posts 3Q loss, plans to close 40 stores

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In reporting a net loss for its fiscal 2016 third quarter, Fred’s Inc. said it plans to shut 40 underperforming stores in the first half of next year. Fred’s also announced at the start of its earnings call Thursday that it wouldn’t take any questions from analysts following its quarterly report —

Bloom becomes CEO at Fred’s

Bloom becomes CEO at Fred’s

MEMPHIS — Mike Bloom has been named chief executive officer of 651-store Fred’s Inc. He succeeds Jerry Shore, who is ­retiring. Bloom, who joined Fred’s as president and chief operating officer in January 2015, has worked closely with Shore on building a strong management team to ensure a smooth and effective transition. Bloom will lead

Former Walgreens merchandising exec Pugh joins Fred’s

Former Walgreens merchandising exec Pugh joins Fred’s

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former Walgreen Co. executive Bryan Pugh has been hired by Fred’s Inc. as chief merchandising and marketing officer. The discount general merchandise chain said late Wednesday that Pugh will develop new merchandising and marketing strategies and processes as well as enhance current ones. He will also be tasked with promoting stronger supplier

Fred’s appoints Bloom president and COO

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former CVS and Family Dollar Stores Inc. executive Mike Bloom has become president and chief operating officer of small-box discounter Fred’s Inc. “Our board of directors views this senior management addition as an important step in the process of developing the Fred’s team of the future,” said company chairman Michael Hayes. “The hiring

Already, 2015 is shaping up as an eventful year

The new year is just over a month old and already the chain drug industry has seen its fair share of noteworthy events. Walgreens Boots Alliance had a coming out party, opening trading at NASDAQ and unveiling its new corporate logo; Brian Unmacht became the first person outside the Bartell family to serve as president

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