Deals

MINNEAPOLIS -- Fleming Companies c.e.o.Mark Hansen told analysts yesterday that there are a number of suitors interested in purchasing its Rainbow Foods chain, which operates 44 supermarkets in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

PHILADELPHIA, -- Acme Markets, Inc., a unit of Albertsons, has purchased a prominent portion of the former Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and plans to erect a 50,000 sq. ft. combo store on the South Philly site. Food-drug combo stores, such as its Albertsons Sav-On and Jewel-Osco formats, form the Boise, Idaho-based chain's key strategy for growth.

PITTSBURGH - German-owned discount retailer Aldi is considering the Pittsburgh market for a 400,000-square-foot distribution warehouse, the Pittsburgh Business Times reports.

CINCINNATI - Kroger Co. president David B. Dillon said yesterday he expects approval of the chain's acquisition of 18 Raley's stores in Las Vegas to come down soon from the Federal Trade Commission.

AMSTERDAM - Dutch retailer Royal Ahold NV today completed a bid for shares it did not already own in Chilean supermarket firm Santa Isabel for approximately $50 million, boosting its stake to 97 percent, according to a Reuters report.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - Late Tuesday Hershey Trust Co. officially removed Hershey Foods Corp. from the auction block, The Associated Press reports.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. on Friday announced it has reached an agreement to purchase 18 Raley's stores in Las Vegas.

NEW YORK - As a Pennsylvania appellate court prepares to hear arguments on the sale of Hershey Foods Corp., Nestle SA and Cadbury PLC continue to discuss the terms of a potential joint bid for the company, people close to the situation told The Wall Street Journal.