News Briefs

RITE AID CORP.:

has promoted Bryan Shirtliff, 42, to senior VP-category management and is responsible for product selection and management, merchandising and pricing. Most recently, he served as VP-seasonal and hardlines.

WAL-MART STORES INC.: will sell its grocery distribution unit, McLane Co. Inc., to Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. McLane represents 6% of the retail giant's total sales. Wal-Mart expects $1.5 billion from the sale of McLane, including $50 million for the sale of McLane's Merit Distribution Service Inc. to Swift Transportation Co.

HEINEKEN: intends to acquire Austrian brewer BBAG for $2.13 billion. The deal will create the largest brewing company in central Europe.

WORLDWINNER: a specialist in online games, has named Peter Blacklow CMO. He is a former Senior VP-Marketing at Monster.com and a 2001 PROMO Marketer of the Year.