- Published reports say that Ahold is considering the closure of some Giant stores in the DC-Baltimore markets. Henk Jen ten Brinke, Ahold’s vice president of investor relations, told the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference last week that the division has “lost some momentum,” and that some units scheduled for remodeling might instead be closed.
- In the UK, The Independent reports that William Morrison Supermarkets, already troubled because of its inability to successfully integrate many of the Safeway plc stores it acquired, is facing a possible strike by thousands of its employees.
The strike would be over the company’s reported plan to close three of its distribution centers, a move that would eliminate some 2,500 jobs. The union says that Morrison has refused to negotiate with the union over the closures, while the retailer says that no final closure decisions have been made.
To be continued…
- Walgreen Co. announced last week that it has struck a deal with Senior Healthcare Partners, a pharmaceutical services firm, to supply prescriptions to assisted living homes. The deal takes the form of a new business called SeniorMed.
"This new joint venture allows both of us to expand into the fast-growing senior assisted-living pharmacy market," said Greg Wasson, Walgreen health services president.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
