Financial News

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets has launched the company’s annual fundraiser, Food For All. Running from Nov. 1 through Nov. 22, the campaign works with customers and associates to raise money in support of nonprofit organizations serving individuals within the local community.

HANOVER, PA. — Utz Quality Foods announced Friday that it would be acquiring Inventure Foods in a deal valued at $165 million.

With manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Inventure’s portfolio includes such brands as Boulder Canyon Foods, TGI Fridays and Nathan's Famous.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance on Wednesday exceeded analyst expectations with results that came in slighlty north of the company's year-end projections thanks, in part, to the company's commitment to a fluid go-to-market strategy that is constantly evaluating customer behavior.

 MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Wednesday announced its acquisition of Associated Grocers of Florida in a transaction valued at approximately $180 million.

VARENNES, Quebec — The Jean Coutu Group on Thursday reported revenue gains of 6.1% to $596.8 million. Jean Coutu attributed the growth to strong overall market growth that overcame the deflationary impact associated with increased generic dispensing.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Thursday named Kermit Crawford president and COO. Crawford, prior to serving as a retail and healthcare adviser and consultant for New York City-based Sycamore Partners, enjoyed a long career with Walgreens, most recently as EVP and president of pharmacy health and wellness.

The price of drugs — particularly specialty drugs — is the perennial issue plaguing both patients and the companies that make them, as the cost of making a drug, estimated at around $2.6 billion with an average time of 10-15 years, will be factored into the cost of a treatment. Recently, though, patient advocates and regulators have begun acknowledging a need for something to be done about this trend.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Friday reported net earnings of $353 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 0.7% in the second quarter of 2017, which ended Aug. 12.