Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. operates 584 company-owned stores that each stock more than 14,000 items and saw average sales of more than $3 million in 2017.

That’s one picture of the company, laid out in Fred’s just-released annual report. Another picture, though, can be found in Fred’s dismal financial performance of late – and in the fact that Wall Street has basically lost faith in the company’s prospects, which led to the price of Fred’s shares sinking 60 percent since January.

2. Fred’s Reports Another Quarter’s Bleak Results - Monday, May 7, 2018

Joseph Anto’s first presentation of the quarterly numbers for discount retailer Fred’s Inc. lasted about 13 minutes from start to finish.

Anto, appointed last week as interim CEO of the troubled Memphis-based company, is personally approving every invoice over $5,000. The company, he said, is “maniacally” focused on cutting expenses and in the process of pursuing yet another strategy shift after a failed transition of the company’s emphasis to personal health care.

3. Fred’s CEO Resigns, Replaced By CFO - Saturday, May 5, 2018

The CEO of Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. has left the company, less than two years into his run as the top executive and on the heels of a particularly volatile period for Fred’s that has seen other management shuffles, an uncertain turnaround strategy and a plummeting stock price.

4. Fred’s Fiscal Year Loss Doubles From 2016 - Friday, May 4, 2018

Joseph Anto’s first presentation of the quarterly numbers for discount retailer Fred’s Inc. lasted about 13 minutes from start to finish.

Anto, appointed last week as interim CEO of the troubled Memphis-based company, is personally approving every invoice over $5,000. The company, he said, is “maniacally” focused on cutting expenses and in the process of pursuing yet another strategy shift after a failed transition of the company’s emphasis to personal health care.

5. Two More Executives Resign at Fred's - Friday, May 4, 2018

Two more senior executives are out at discount retailer Fred’s Inc., with word of their departures coming a week after the Memphis-based company’s CEO resigned.

Fred’s disclosed in a security filing today, May 3, that chief operating officer Timothy Liebmann and chief merchandising and marketing officer Mary Louise Gardner have both resigned “to pursue other opportunities.” Their departures will cost the company more $1.5 million, as that figure alone represents the severance costs of $800,000 that will go to Liebmann and $663,000 going to Gardner. They’ll also get their regular base salary through May 27.

6. Fred’s CEO Resigns, Replaced By CFO - Monday, April 30, 2018

The CEO of Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. has left the company, less than two years into his run as the top executive and on the heels of a particularly volatile period for Fred’s that has seen other management shuffles, an uncertain turnaround strategy and a plummeting stock price.

7. Fred’s Pays $100K Hiring Bonus to Second CFO in Seven Months - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Scroll through the headlines on any financial news-related service – or just look at a stock performance chart – and the news out of Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc. has been, in a word, grim.

8. Fred’s Changes CFOs for Second Time in Seven Months - Friday, February 2, 2018

Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc. has replaced its CFO for the second time in less than a year. Fred’s on Thursday, Feb. 1, announced the appointment of Joseph Anto as executive vice president and CFO, effectively immediately. He succeeds Jason Jenne, who was appointed CFO in July and is leaving the company.

9. Fred’s Ends 2017 Where it Began: Amid a Turnaround, Looking for Growth - Monday, December 18, 2017

You wouldn’t know it from walking into a Fred’s store like the one at 5016 Summer Ave., with the big sign above it outside that says Fred’s in red letters on a white background accompanied by signs announcing “Low Price Leader” and “Pharmacy” on either side.

10. Fred’s Reports $51.8M Loss, Cancels Dividend - Thursday, December 7, 2017

Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. accompanied the release of its fiscal third quarter earnings performance Wednesday, Dec. 6 – which included reporting a loss of $51.8 million for the quarter – with separate, related news that shows the company’s turnaround remains a difficult work in progress.

11. Fred’s Reports $29M Loss, Names New Board Chair - Thursday, September 7, 2017

Heath Freeman, president of New York-based investment firm Alden Global Capital, once blasted what he saw as “abysmal business decision-making” and a “country club environment in the executive suite and boardroom” at Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc.

12. Fred’s Appoints New Chief Financial Officer - Saturday, July 22, 2017

Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. has appointed Jason Jenne as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately.

Fred’s announced Wednesday, July 19, that Jenne will succeed Rick Hans, who the company says is leaving “to pursue other opportunities.” Hans will remain in an advisory role until Aug. 18, working with Jenne to ensure a smooth transition.

13. Fred’s Appoints New Chief Financial Officer - Thursday, July 20, 2017

Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. has appointed Jason Jenne as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately.

Fred’s announced Wednesday, July 19, that Jenne will succeed Rick Hans, who the company says is leaving “to pursue other opportunities.” Hans will remain in an advisory role until Aug. 18, working with Jenne to ensure a smooth transition.

14. Analyst: Fred’s Not Seen as Viable Buyer of Rite Aid Stores - Monday, July 3, 2017

Nick Mitchell, managing director and research analyst with Northcoast Research, didn’t have to do much work or analysis in the wake of news that Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. has been cut out of a deal between Walgreens and Rite Aid.

15. Fred’s Cut Out of New Walgreens, Rite Aid Deal - Friday, June 30, 2017

Walgreens Boots Alliance has struck a new deal with Rite Aid to buy 2,186 of the chain’s stores for $5.18 billion, an agreement that replaces the two rivals’ planned merger. It also nixes the component of the merger involving Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. buying hundreds of Rite Aid stores to help the now-defunct merger pass regulatory muster.

16. Fred’s Reports Q1 Loss, Says Changes are Working - Wednesday, June 7, 2017

During many of its recent quarterly earnings presentations, Memphis-based discount retailer and drugstore company Fred’s Inc. essentially had to ask analysts and investors to be patient – to stick with the company through a turnaround in which the only good news to report seemed to be the kind that was coming but not here yet.

17. Activist Investor Gets 2 Fred’s Board Seats - Thursday, April 27, 2017

The yellow sign near the corner of Summer Avenue and White Station reads: Fred’s Pharmacy. It’s a physical representation of the Memphis-based discount retailer repositioning itself away from its retail legacy and doubling down on its health care-related and pharmacy offerings.

18. Fred’s May Buy Up to 1,200 Rite Aid Stores - Friday, April 7, 2017

Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. is “the right buyer” of hundreds of Rite Aid stores that need to be divested so Rite Aid and Walgreens Boots Alliance can win Federal Trade Commission approval for their pending merger.

19. Fred’s Brings on New Board Members - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Change continues to be the operative word at Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc., which has made some key additions to its board in recent days as the company continues pursuing a major turnaround that includes completing its acquisition of 865 Rite Aid stores.

20. Fred’s Could Buy More Rite Aid Stores - Friday, February 3, 2017

Fred’s Inc. may end up buying more than the 865 Rite Aid stores it’s already planned to acquire as part of the merger of two drugstore chains.

In December, Memphis-based Fred’s said it would buy those 865 stores from Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Rite Aid Corp. on the heels of Walgreens working to satisfy regulatory concerns for its purchase of Rite Aid. Since then, the two chains have said they may divest more stores to overcome concerns from regulators.

21. Analyst: Rite Aid Buy ‘Good Deal’ for Fred’s - Thursday, December 22, 2016

Memphis-based Fred’s Inc. got a “really good deal” on the 865 Rite Aid stores it’s agreed to buy for $950 million in a deal that takes the company beyond its core market and marks a significant new chapter in its story.

22. Analyst: Fred’s May Be in Talks To Sell - Thursday, December 15, 2016

Memphis-based pharmacy operator and retailer fred’s Inc. was still keeping quiet at press time about the “pending transaction” that led the company to take the unusual step of declining to allow questions from analysts following its earnings presentation Dec. 8.

23. Fred’s Considering HQ Relocation in Revamp - Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Memphis-based retailer fred’s Inc. is studying a few options for relocating its Memphis headquarters at 4300 New Getwell Road, locations that CFO Rick Hans told The Daily News are all within a few miles of the current headquarters.

24. Fred’s Inc. Considering HQ Relocation as It Works to Revamp Business - Friday, December 9, 2016

Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc. is studying a few options for relocating its Memphis headquarters at 4300 New Getwell Road, locations that Fred’s CFO Rick Hans told The Daily News are all within a few miles of the current headquarters.

25. Third-Quarter Loss Points to Lingering Challenge for Fred's - Friday, December 9, 2016

Memphis-based retailer Fred’s Inc.’s release of its third quarter earnings results Thursday, Dec. 8, came with a few unusual features. First, the company had delayed that presentation to analysts by almost a week – then the company took the even more unusual step of declining to take questions from analysts.

26. Fred’s Undergoing Changes After Disappointing Financial Results - Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The second quarter has not been kind to retail stocks. Among almost 90 percent of retail companies that reported second-quarter earnings as of Aug. 24, just 3.9 percent surpassed estimates, according to Zacks Investment Research, and barely 4 percent posted higher year-over-year revenue.

27. Fred’s Names New CEO, Reports Q2 Net Loss - Saturday, September 3, 2016

Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. has named Mike Bloom its new chief executive officer.

28. Fred's Names New CEO, Reports Disappointing Q2 Results - Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. has named Mike Bloom its new chief executive officer.

29. Fred’s Set for Rebound in 2016 - Monday, March 28, 2016

Twenty-four years ago this month, Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. went public.Today, for a variety of reasons that include Fred’s ongoing shot at a turnaround, the company finds itself in a period of unprecedented change.

30. Fred’s Reports Third-Quarter Profit, Sales Increase - Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Back in September, Memphis-based discount retailer Fred’s Inc. brought all of its managers to Memphis for a two-day conference – the first time that’s been done in 14 years.

The confab came at the end of the third quarter that saw Fred’s earn $1.4 million, or 4 cents per share, reversing a $10.4 million loss, or a loss of 28 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Total sales for the quarter were up 14 percent to $541 million. Excluding sales of $16.2 million from stores closed mostly at the end of 2014, total sales for the third quarter were up 18 percent.

31. Flurry of Fred’s News Includes Fourth-Quarter Loss - Thursday, March 26, 2015

Fred’s Inc. reported a fourth-quarter loss Thursday, March 26, the day after announcing a major acquisition to its pharmacy network as well as the addition of several new executives.

Fred's Inc. booked an $8.2 million loss in the quarter ended Jan. 31 as a rise in expenses countered a small sales gain.

32. Events - Friday, August 24, 2012

The Federal Bar Association Memphis Mid-South Chapter will hold its Memphis Trial Practice Summer Seminar Friday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the federal courthouse, 167 N. Main St. Speakers include jury strategist Jason Bloom; U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Diane Vescovo; and attorneys Mike McLaren and Les Jones. Email michael.mclaren@butlersnow.com.

33. Events - Thursday, August 23, 2012

Memphis Breakfast Rotary Club will meet Thursday, Aug. 23, at 7 a.m. at The Racquet Club of Memphis, 5111 Sanderlin Ave. Glen Vanderford, regional Rotary Foundation director, will speak. Contact Mark Edwards at medwards@bankofbartlett.com.

34. Late Bloomers - Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Last week we discussed the Family Safety Center, which is focused on providing one location that effectively combines civil, criminal, health and social services for victims of domestic violence. This week let us share a story that was submitted by reader and LPBC partner, Mike Bowen, CEO and President of Champion Awards & Apparel. The story is about “late bloomers” and is a testament for how businesses can play an active role in the community and how someone’s past does not have to predict his or her future.

35. Events - Friday, May 18, 2012

Bike-to-Work Day activities will be held across Memphis Friday, May 18, as part of National Bike-to-Work Day. Visit downtownmemphis.com/biketowork for a list of events.

36. CVS Caremark Says Merlo Will Become CEO in March - Tuesday, January 25, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Drugstore operator and pharmacy benefits manager CVS Caremark Corp. said Monday that Larry Merlo will succeed Thomas Ryan as CEO on March 1, about two months earlier than expected.

37. Store Specializes in Furnishings for Casual Entertaining - Monday, April 6, 2009

The sexes diverge when couples walk into Ken Rash’s Inc.

Men head toward the grill room, while women walk among the furniture displays. This Berclair neighborhood business specializes in casual furnishings and other necessities for entertaining, such as bistro tables, bar stools, chaise lounges and wine racks.

38. Man Bankrolls New Nursery From Personal Savings - Monday, March 23, 2009

Mike Earnest didn’t let a frozen credit market or a beaten-down economy stop him from pursuing a business opportunity.