Giant-Carlisle, a division of Ahold USA, has entered into an agreement with Virginia based Ukrop’s Super Markets, to acquire 25 stores.

• The deal valued at approximately USD 140 million, will include Ahold taking over the inventory, equipment, and lease agreements of the 25 stores along with one new store location.
• As per the terms, Giant Carlisle will retain the existing Ukrop's store associates.
• The deal subject to approvals is expected to conclude during the first quarter of 2010.

Giant-PA currently consists of 150 stores across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Giant-PA has announced its acquisition of 25 stores from Richmond, Virginia-based Ukrop’s. The deal, valued at approximately USD 140 million, includes 25 of 27 current Ukrop's locations, one new store, lease agreements, equipment, and inventory. Giant-PA will also hire existing Ukrop’s associates. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2010. Joe’s Market and Ukrop’s bakery and commissary business were not included in the deal.

According to Giant-PA, changes will be introduced gradually over several years. Ukrop’s stores will still be serviced through Supervalu, its current distributor, in the mean time.

Giant-PA currently operates approximately 150 stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Its new acquired stores are primarily in the Richmond, Virginia, and Williamsburg, Virginia areas.

Best Buy has announced the appointment of Lisa Caputo as a member of its Board of Directors, effective December 14, 2009.

• Lisa Caputo is the Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Citigroup since 2007. She is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s Women & Company business since January 2000.
• Prior to her association with Citigroup, Caputo was with The Walt Disney Company and The CBS Corporation at senior executive communications positions. She has also held the position of Deputy Assistant to Bill Clinton during his first term as the President of the United States.
• The shareholders of Best Buy are scheduled to elect Caputo to its 15-member Board of Directors on June 23, 2010, at a regular meeting. Her term will expire in June 2010.

CVS Caremark Corp has named Per Lofberg the President of its pharmacy benefit management business (PBM), effective January 4, 2009.

• Lofberg succeeds Howard McClure, who retired in November 2009.
• Lofberg, who is currently the President and CEO of genetic-benefits manager, Generation Health Inc., has over 30 years' experience in health care and the PBM industry.
• Prior to joining Generation Health, Lofberg was the CEO of Merck Capital Ventures, a venture capital firm that invested in emerging health care technologies. Lofberg also spent 15 years with Boston Consulting Group, where he headed the company's worldwide health care practice.

Home Depot will be adding about 1.12 million square feet (sq ft) of industrial space through 2010. It is in the process of expanding its logistics operations and expects to employ more than 400 workers by 2011.

• The home improvement retailer has signed a 20-year lease worth USD 25.9 million with American Realty Capital (ARC) for a 465,000 sq ft distribution center. The facility is located in the Lexington County Industrial Park in West Columbia, South Carolina.
• The West Columbia facility will create 130 full-time and part-time jobs. The facility will be utilized as a rapid deployment center, providing services to Home Depot’s outlets in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia.
• Home Depot, along with Industrial developer IDI, is also building a 657,600 sq ft distribution facility in Findlay, Ohio. The facility would be complete in the summer of 2010 and is expected to create another 300 jobs.

Kroger is promoting its new private label HBC line, called "mirra" with a USD 5 coupon available on its website. Currently, there are two sub-brands under the "mirra" line: "Daily" and "Renew." A third sub-brand, "Inspire," will be launching soon.

The "mirra" line is meant to be an affordable, natural alternative to other HBC lines in the marketplace.

Sears Holdings will buy back up to USD 500 million shares of its common stock.

• This buyback is in addition to USD 82 million of shares available under an existing repurchase program.
• Sears Holdings has repurchased 7.1 million of its shares for approximately USD 423 million for the fiscal year-to-date period.
  • The retailer had approximately 114.7 million outstanding shares as of December 16, 2009.

Target will expand its beauty aisles during spring 2010 to include additional natural and organic beauty brands. The additional personal care products are free of the following synthetic ingredients: parabens, phthalates, and sodium lauryl sulfates. Moreover, the products are not tested on animals.

Eduardo Solorzano, current President and CEO of Walmart de Mexico, has been promoted to President and CEO of Walmart Latin America effective January 18 2010. Solorzano takes over from Vicente Trius, who left the company in November.

In addition, Scot Rank has been promoted to President and CEO of Walmart de Mexico, replacing Solorzano effective January 18 2010. Previously, Rank served as EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Walmex.

Walmart Brazil has stated that it plans to boost investment by 40% in 2010. Walmart says it will invest BRL 2.0-2.2 billion (roughly USD 1.1 billion) into the country in 2010. The company claims that this will translate into roughly 100 stores next year.