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Report: CVS nears deal to acquire Aetna; Morrisons found liable for data leak

TOP NEWS

* U.S. retail pharmacy chain CVS Health Corp. could announce a deal to buy health insurer Aetna Inc. for about $66 billion by Dec. 4, The Wall Street Journal reported Nov. 30. Citing unnamed sources, the Journal reported that the companies have made progress toward a deal that would value Aetna at between $200 and $205 per share. CVS and Aetna declined to comment on the report.

* A U.K. high court judge declared that food retailer Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC is liable for a 2014 data leak by a former employee and should compensate affected workers for "distress" caused, Retail Gazette reported. Bank account details and other information of nearly 100,000 workers were leaked, out of which 5,518 former and present employees reportedly are expected to receive compensation. The company said it would appeal and it "should not be held responsible," the report added.

MULTILINE RETAIL

* Sears Holdings Corp. on Nov. 30 reported that its net loss narrowed in the fiscal third quarter although revenue declined as a result of store closures. The company reported a net loss attributable to shareholders of $558 million, smaller than the $748 million loss the company reported in the same quarter in 2016. Sears said revenue declined to $3.7 billion from $5.0 billion.

* British department store operator Marks and Spencer Group plc named Victoria Self as digital director to lead the company's digital strategy, Retail Gazette reported. Self, who is currently Dixons Carphone Plc's customer director, reportedly will join M&S in January 2018. She previously held e-commerce roles at Urban Outfitters Inc. and Mothercare plc.

E-COMMERCE

* Amazon.com Inc. has spoken with representatives of generic-drugmakers Mylan NV and Novartis AG's Sandoz about potential operations in the pharmaceutical industry, CNBC reported, citing unnamed sources. One source who spoke to CNBC said Amazon discussed entering the drug-purchasing business. Amazon, Mylan and Novartis declined to comment on CNBC's report.

* Blue Apron Inc.'s board appointed Brad Dickerson as its new president and CEO of the meal-kit maker. Dickerson will replace the company's co-founder, Matt Salzberg, who will step down from the president and CEO roles. Dickerson has served as the company's CFO since February 2016.

FOOD AND DRUG RETAILING

* U.S. supermarket chain Kroger Co. on Nov. 30 reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter that beat expectations for net income. The company said net earnings for the quarter ended Nov. 4 totaled $397 million, 1.4% higher than the $391 million the company reported for the same period in 2016 and above the mean consensus of analysts' estimates of $358.7 million compiled by S&P Capital IQ.

* U.K. supermarket chain J Sainsbury Plc is preparing to appeal a high court ruling that dismissed the company's damage claims against Visa Inc. over processing fees, Retail Gazette reported. Sainsbury's, which won a similar lawsuit against Mastercard in 2016, reportedly alleged that Visa's interchange fees violated U.K. and EU competition laws. A Sainsbury's spokesperson reportedly said the retailer is "considering its position." Visa said it hoped it could continue to work with retailers toward "the digitization of commerce."

HYPERMARKETS AND SUPERCENTERS

* U.S. online grocery-delivery service Shipt will expand its pilot initiative with the local unit of German discount retailer Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG to deliver to three new areas across North Carolina, beginning Dec. 7. The company also will expand its delivery service areas in its existing coverage in South Carolina. The expansion will give more than 500,000 households access to Lidl's products.

* French retail giant Carrefour SA and electronics retailer Fnac Darty SA are discussing an alliance to pool their purchasing of electronic products in France, according to a Dec. 1 report by French broadcaster BFM Business. The report, which did not cite sources, said discussions have been going on "for a few months" and that a deal could be unveiled in January 2018. Carrefour did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

INDUSTRY NEWS

* Hong Kong's retail sales by value grew 3.9% on the year in October to HK$37.5 billion, according to the city's Census and Statistics Department. The growth slowed from the 5.7% year-on-year increase in retail sales value confirmed for September. In the first 10 months of 2017, retail sales in Hong Kong increased 1.2% in value and 1.1% in volume over the same period in 2016.

* Consumer confidence in the U.K. fell for the 20th consecutive month in November, according to a report by market research firm GfK. It is the second time in 2017 that the index matched the level in July 2016, which came after the Brexit vote. Sentiment in November was hurt by higher inflation, squeezed incomes and economic uncertainty.