Financial News

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix sales for the fiscal year ended Dec. 28, 2013 were $28.9 billion, a 5.2% increase. Comparable-store sales for 2013 increased 3.6%. 

Publix's sales for the fourth quarter of 2013 totaled $7.4 billion, a 5.3% increase, the grocer reported Monday. Comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased 4.3%. 

SAN FRANCISCO  — McKesson on Friday announced that the wholesaler has launched a voluntary public takeover offer for the remaining outstanding shares of Celesio through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Dragonfly. 

There are no closing conditions in relation to the takeover offer. McKesson currently exceeds 75% ownership of Celesio shares on a fully diluted basis.

MILWAUKEE — Roundy's earlier this week reported financial results for fourth-quarter and full year ended Dec. 28, 2013.

For fourth-quarter 2013, the grocer saw a net sales increase of 2% to $1,001.9 million, with net income at $8.7 million, or $0.19 diluted net earnings per common share. For the full year 2013, the company saw net sales increase by 1.5% to $3,949.9 million. Net income was $34.5 million, or $0.76 diluted net earnings per common share.

NEW YORK — Fred’s Super Dollar has visited CVS Caremark, Dollar General and Walgreens seeking bids for its Southeastern chain of discount stores, according to a report published Friday by Bloomberg News. 

Buyout firms including Miami-based H.I.G. Capital also were contacted, the report added.

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Mead Johnson Nutrition on Friday expanded the size of its board from 11 to 12 members and appointed Michael Grobstein as its newest director. He is a retired vice chairman of Ernst & Young, one of the world's largest professional services organizations.

NEW YORK — Deutsche Bank on Thursday speculated that either Cerberus or Kroger could acquire Safeway. 

The firm noted that divestitures in a Kroger acquisition would exceed those in a Cerberus buyout.  

A Bloomberg report published last week suggested Cerberus was the lead bidder for Safeway's operations. 

ZAANDAM, The Netherlands — Ahold announced plans to significantly expand its Peapod presence in the U.S. market when announcing fourth-quarter results on Thursday. "Peapod is expected to double its capacity in the U.S. in 2014," Dick Boer, Ahold CEO, told analysts. 

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree on Wednesday posted sales of $2.2 billion for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1, down slightly by 0.9%. However, fourth quarter 2012 included 13 weeks as compared to the 12-week period for fiscal 2013. 

For fiscal year 2013, the company's consolidated net sales were $7.8 billion, up 6.1%. Comparable store sales increased 2.4%. Fiscal 2012 included 53 weeks, as compared with 52 weeks in fiscal 2013.

Comparable store sales increased 1.2%.