Shopko Stores and Pamida Finalize Merger, Announce Conversion Plans for Pamida Stores

GREEN BAY, Wis. and OMAHA, Neb., March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The merger between two of the nation's leading Midwest-based general merchandise retail chains, Shopko and Pamida, is now complete, creating one of the largest U.S. retailers focused on serving smaller, rural communities.   With nearly $3 billion in annual revenues, the combined entity, which is retaining the Shopko name, features nearly 350 locations in 22 states with more than 20,000 employees.  Financial details of the merger were not disclosed. 

Shopko will be headquartered in Green Bay and Pamida's corporate headquarters in Omaha will be consolidated into the Green Bay office over the next several months.  Shopko President, Chairman and CEO W. Paul Jones will retain his position, providing leadership for the combined company.  Pamida CEO John Harlow will serve on the leadership team and help direct the integration process.   

"A great deal of work and planning was required to get us to this point, and we're excited that the merger is now complete so we can begin to move forward as one organization," said Jones.  "Our aim is to combine the best of both companies as we become one Shopko team with a shared vision to become the nation's leading general merchandise retailer focused on serving smaller communities across the country with our Shopko Hometown store format."

Shopko also announced the conversion plans for Pamida stores.  The company announced that the Pamida stores will be converted to the Shopko Hometown store format by the end of 2012.  As part of the continual review process, the company has identified six stores that will not go through conversion and will be closed in August.

The Shopko Hometown retail format, developed over the past three years to augment Shopko's larger store model, offers a differentiated and financially successful merchandising strategy.  Shopko Hometown combines pharmacy services with a broad and dynamic offering of strong national brands and high-value private label brands of apparel, home furnishings, toys, consumer electronics, seasonal items, and lawn and garden products – all in attractive, well laid out, easy-to-shop store formats that range from 15,000 to 35,000-square-feet.

Shopko announced approximately $80 million will be invested into Pamida store conversions which will begin in June and occur in phases through the end of the year.  Each individual store conversion will take approximately 5-6 weeks from start to finish and will include new interior and exterior signage, updated supplemented  fixtures, improved store design and layout, as well as an expanded merchandise mix. 

"We're eager to get the Pamida store conversion process underway and start to bring Shopko Hometown to more communities," said Jones.  "Over the past two years, seven Pamida stores have already been successfully transitioned to the Shopko Hometown format.  We've received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers in these communities who tell us they appreciate the improved shopping experience and access to a broader, differentiated selection of merchandise, including products and brands previously not available in their community. 

These improvements, coupled with the same great team and customer service, as well as a continued commitment to support the local community, gives us confidence that Shopko Hometown will be well received by Pamida's customer base."

Once Pamida's chain-wide conversions are complete, the company plans to accelerate the addition of new Shopko Hometown stores in the second half of 2012 and into 2013. There will be no change to Shopko's current 149 stores.

Shopko is owned by affiliates of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies.  

About Shopko

Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC is a $2 billion retailer that operates 149 stores in 13 states throughout the Midwest, Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail formats include 134 Shopko stores, providing quality name-brand merchandise, great values, pharmacy and optical services in small to mid-sized cities; 5 Shopko Express Rx stores, a convenient neighborhood drugstore concept; and 10 Shopko Hometown locations, a smaller concept store developed to meet the needs of smaller communities. For more information, visit www.shopko.com.

About Pamida

Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Pamida operates 193 stores in 17 states, primarily in the Mountain, North Central and Midwest regions and carries a wide variety of general merchandise including apparel, home and electronics, seasonal items, toys, housewares and groceries. The company also operates 132 pharmacies and is a health care leader in each community.  For more information, visit www.pamida.com.

About Sun Capital Partners

Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in companies that can benefit from its in–house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in more than 285 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $45 billion since Sun Capital's inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles and New York, as well as affiliates in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information, visit www.SunCapPart.com.

SOURCE Shopko