CSNews' Parent Merges With Edgell Communications
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Stagnito Business Information, parent company of Convenience Store News and Convenience Store News for the Single Store Owner, has merged with Edgell Communications.
The newly combined company will continue operating under the Stagnito Business Information and Edgell Communications names in the short term, with a new corporate brand to be announced in the near future.
The combined assets and brands of Stagnito Business Information and Edgell Communications make it the most comprehensive business-to-business information, media and marketing resource serving retailers and their supplier/distributor partners in the North American grocery, convenience, big-box retail, specialty/apparel, hospitality and pharmacy markets, according to Wednesday's announcement.
Stagnito’s and Edgell’s vertically focused U.S. brands include Convenience Store News, Progressive Grocer, Hospitality Technology, MURTEC conference, The Gourmet Retailer and Apparel.
Horizontally focused brands serving all retail markets include RIS News, Consumer Goods Technology, Retail Leader, Store Brands, Multicultural Retail 360 Summit and Carbonview research.
Brands focused on vertical markets in Canada include Your Convenience Manager, Convenience Central, The Convenience U CARWACS Shows and Pharmacy Business.
As part of the transaction, Kollin Stagnito, formerly chief operating officer at Deerfield, Ill.-based Stagnito Business Information, will take over as CEO of the new company. Gerry Ryerson, president and CEO of Edgell, is retiring, while Harry Stagnito, formerly president and CEO of Stagnito, will take a seat on the newly formed board of directors.
“We are well on the way to creating the definitive retail business intelligence resource for retailers, retail suppliers and technology vendors. The combined companies will inform, connect and provide predictive analysis for retailers, retail suppliers and technology vendors through custom and syndicated research, data, media and events," said Kollin Stagnito.
"Customers will have access to business intelligence throughout the retail product lifecycle — from initial consumer interest to final shopper satisfaction — including product creation, marketing and distribution; category management; retail merchandising; and point-of-sale. Other media, research and data companies provide parts of this solution today, but no company has connected the dots to allow those involved in retail to find solutions to all their challenges in one place."
The merger agreement was led by RFE Investment Partners, whose participation is intended to allow Stagnito and Edgell to develop more powerful products and services for its audience and customers — through future acquisitions as well as organic growth.
RFE also helped facilitate the formation of the new board of directors, attracting executives with a wealth of media, business-to-business communications and retail industry experience. In addition to Harry Stagnito, board members include Alan Glass, former chairman, president and CEO at Commonwealth Business Media, and Jim Casella, former chairman and CEO at Asset International and Vice Chairman at Reed Business Information. Glass will be the executive chairman, with Kollin Stagnito reporting to him.
JEGI, an independent investment bank for the global media, information, marketing, software and tech-enabled services sectors, represented Stagnito and Edgell in the pre-packaged merger and sale to RFE.