Skip to main content

Financial News

  • Reckitt Benckiser pursuit of Schiff Nutrition a success; companies sign definitive merger agreement

    SLOUGH, England — Reckitt Benckiser successfully wrapped up its pursuit of Schiff Nutrition on Friday with the signing of a definitive merger agreement in a deal valued at $1.4 billion. Bayer officially relinquished its proposed acquisition on the same day. 

  • Retail foot traffic edges up on Black Friday, but sales decline slightly

    CHICAGO — Retailers saw increased foot traffic this Black Friday, but that didn't generate higher sales, according to ShopperTrak, the world's largest counter of retail foot traffic.

    According to ShopperTrak's analysis, when compared to Black Friday 2011, retail foot traffic rose 3.5%, to more than 307.67 million store visits. However, retail sales decreased 1.8%, with shoppers spending an estimated $11.2 billion on Friday, compared to $11.4 billion last year.

  • Fred's looks to grow through Diplomat Specialty partnership and Drug and Dollar concept pharmacy

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Any trickle-down of an improving economy hasn't trickled down to Fred's consumer base, Bruce Efird, Fred's CEO, told analysts Tuesday morning in discussing the discounter's third-quarter results. "During the third quarter we continue to see generally weak economic conditions throughout the Southeast which are clearly weighing heavily on our customers and influencing how they shop for their basic needs," he said. "It's more evident that things are not getting better for our core customers." 

  • Report: Bayer will not raise offer for Schiff Nutrition as negotiations continue

    NEW YORK — Bayer will not be raising its offer for Schiff Nutrition to match or exceed last week's bid from Reckitt Benckiser, Reuters reported Tuesday morning. 

    Bayer's bid is still active, however, and is in discussions with Schiff to acquire the company for its original evaluation of $1.2 billion. Reckitt Benckiser bid $1.4 billion. 

    To read the Reuters report, click here. 

  • Widespread acne drives sales of treatments

    With some 40 million to 50 million people in the United States battling acne, it is no surprise that sales of acne treatments continue to be on the rise.

    According to data from SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, sales of acne treatments rose 0.24% for the 12 weeks ended Oct. 7 at total U.S. multi-outlets, which covers supermarkets, drug stores, mass market retailers (including Walmart), military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains.

  • Men’s hair coloring, shaving sales increase

    The beauty segment continues to celebrate the success of several stars, including nail polish, and men’s grooming is no exception. In fact, industry eyes are once again zeroing in on this vibrant category, as sales enjoy an uptick in such segments as men’s hair coloring and grooming/shaving.

  • Sears Holdings moves toward member-based business model

    HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart and Sears, is looking to shift its business model to one that focuses on members of its Shop Your Way program and their shopping experience, the company said in its third-quarter 2012 earnings report.

  • Product innovation pushes depilatories toward growth

    Depilatories continue to enjoy strong growth, thanks in large part to product innovation and new entrants to the segment.

    According to data from SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, sales of depilatories rose about 13% for the 12 weeks ended Oct. 7 at total U.S. multi-outlets, which covers supermarkets, drug stores, mass-market retailers (including Walmart), military commissaries, and select club and dollar retail chains.

X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds