News

Cincinnati and Boise, Idaho — Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. and Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. Inc. plan to sell an additional 166 grocery stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers in a divestiture package. This marks an amendment to an existing agreement with the buyer, which will now acquire a total of 579 stores in a $2.9 billion deal. The original divestiture package was announced in September of last year, in connection with a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. In February, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued to block Kroger’s $24.6 billion …

Birmingham, Ala. — Hibbett, Inc., an athletic-inspired fashion retailer, has entered into a definitive merger agreement in which JD Sports Fashion plc will acquire Hibbett for $1.1 billion. Following the closing of the transaction, Hibbett will join the JD Sports family of athletic footwear and fashion retail brands and will cease to be a publicly traded company. Mike Longo will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer, while Jared Briskin will take on the role of chief operating officer of Hibbett. Hibbett will maintain its corporate headquarters in …

Boston — Wayfair Inc. has set the grand opening date for its very first large-format, brick-and-mortar store on May 23, 2024. The 150,000-square-foot store, located in Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Ill., is a one-stop-shop for all things home — including furniture, home décor, housewares and home improvement products, for any style space or budget. The inaugural Wayfair store also has an onsite restaurant, The Porch. Wayfair is a destination for all things home, in one inspiring place. The Wayfair family of brands includes Wayfair, AllModern, Birch Lane, Joss & Main, …