Mergers & Acquisitions

Amazon Might Face a Rival Bidder for Whole Foods
June 22, 2017 at 1:03 pm

Amazon.com's plans to purchase Whole Foods Market might be foiled by another interested buyer. The Los Angeles Times reports Wall Street signaled Monday that it expects a rival offer for Whole Foods to surface, and many industry and merger experts agreed. “We wouldn't be surprised if there's a bidding war” for Whole Foods, the 465-store chain that…

Retail Right Now: June 16
June 16, 2017 at 11:36 am

In this episode of Retail Right Now, Executive Editor Joe Keenan talks about Gymboree's bankruptcy filing, Sears’ jobs cuts, as well as some breaking news — Amazon has purchased Whole Foods, and Wal-Mart has acquired Bonobos.

Amazon.com Buys Whole Foods for $13.7 Billion
June 16, 2017 at 11:30 am

Amazon.com Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc. announced today they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire Whole Foods Market for approximately $13.7 billion, including Whole Foods Market's debt. Whole Foods Market will continue to operate stores under the Whole Foods Market brand. John Mackey will remain as CEO of…

Wal-Mart Acquires Bonobos for $310 Million
June 16, 2017 at 11:20 am

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. today announced it has entered an agreement to acquire Bonobos, Inc., the 10-year-old men's clothing brand that started by selling pants online, but has since expanded its assortment and opened dozens of brick-and-mortar showrooms, for $310 million in cash. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close toward…

L'Oreal to Sell The Body Shop to Natura Cosméticos SA
June 12, 2017 at 11:02 am

Paris-based L'Oreal SA said Friday it has entered into exclusive talks to sell The Body Shop to Natura Cosméticos SA, after reviewing the strategic options for what has been its worst-performing business in recent years. Natura, Brazil's biggest cosmetics company, has made a firm offer that values The Body Shop at an enterprise value of 1…

CVS Acquires Doc's Drugs
June 7, 2017 at 9:56 am

CVS Pharmacy has purchased Doc’s Drugs, a regional pharmacy chain in Illinois. The deal is expected to close mid-to-late July, and all 14 Doc’s stores will be converted to CVS locations. The two companies say that they expect all 200 Doc’s employees to keep their jobs. Doc’s President Anthony Sartoris says the acquisition is a…

Target Investing $75M in Mattress Startup Casper
May 30, 2017 at 9:11 am

Target has finalized an investment in Casper Sleep, pumping $75 million into the fast-growing mattress startup in a funding round that will total $100 million or more, according to a source familiar with the deal. Existing Casper investors like Lerer Hippeau Ventures, IVP and NEA are also participating in the round. New investors, in addition…

American Eagle Outfitters Works on Bid for Abercrombie & Fitch
May 26, 2017 at 10:09 am

American Eagle Outfitters is working with private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management on a bid for Abercrombie & Fitch, sources familiar with the matter have told The Wall Street Journal. This news comes after Abercrombie confirmed to CNBC earlier this month that it was in preliminary discussions with several interested buyers. At the time, apparel retailer…

Total Retail's Top 100 Fastest-Growing Retailers: Lowe's Grows Net Sales 10% With Acquisition, Tech Investments
May 25, 2017 at 10:15 am

Home improvement retailer Lowe’s capitalized on a strong housing market to attract and convert more first-time homeowners and do-it-yourself customers in 2016. The company generated net sales in excess of $65 billion in 2016, an increase of 10.06 percent from $59 billion-plus in 2015. (Lowe's ranked No. 25 on Total Retail’s seventh annual ranking of the…

Retail Right Now: May 12
May 12, 2017 at 11:11 am

Welcome to another episode of Retail Right Now! Big news in the retail industry this week includes Coach's acquisition of Kate Spade, Forever 21 and Rue 21 being accused of stealing an indie brand's designs, and Amazon.com lowering its free shipping minimum to $25.