Mergers & Acquisitions

Kate Spade & Co. stock went up 23 percent on Wednesday as rumors of a sale spread through the market. The Wall Street Journal reported that company is working with an investment bank and has contacted possible buyers, including other retailers according to a source close to the matter. Kate Spade and Co. was valued…

The owner of Snapchat, Snap Inc., has acquired Israeli augmented reality (AR) start-up Cimagine Media for a reported $30 to $40 million, according to CNBC. Retailers should be intrigued by this acquisition because Cimagine Media makes software that allows businesses or consumers to visualize what an item might look like in their environment. Snapchat already…

L.A.-based fashion retailer American Apparel has closed all but one of its U.K. stores. The store closings resulted in a loss of 150 jobs, and this is just the beginning of global store closings for the company. In November, Canadian t-shirt maker Gildan Activewear bought the worldwide rights to the American Apparel brand, but does…

Destination Maternity announced plans on Tuesday to merge with French company Orchestra Prémaman S.A. The merger will create a global provider of maternity apparel, children's wear and baby goods, with revenues of more than $1.1 billion. If the merger goes through, the group will operate under the Orchestra name and maintain its corporate headquarters in…

St. Louis-based Caleres, which owns shoe brands like Famous Footwear and Vince, has acquired Allen Edmonds from Brentwood Associates for $255 million. The acquisition of Allen Edmonds, a men’s premium leather footwear and accessories retailer, is a strategic expansion for Caleres, according to the company. Total Retail’s Take: During its time as owner, Brentwood Associates…

Kroger Co. is close to wrapping up a deal to buy some of the Walgreens and Rite Aid stores that Walgreens needs to divest in order to complete its acquisition of the drug store chain. The Cincinnati Courier reports the deal involving multiple buyers for nearly 1,000 stores should be finalized by year-end. Kroger is in…

Walgreens Boots Alliance may be getting closer to divesting hundreds of stores to win U.S. regulatory approval of its Rite Aid acquisition as reports of U.S. pharmacy consolidation escalate. A Walgreens partner emerged when Fred’s Pharmacy disclosed its management was discussing a “pending transaction.” Management at Fred's cautioned on its third quarter earnings call that “no…

The merger between Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's has seem to hit a bit of a bump in the road. According to the New York Post, the Federal Trade Commission has asked Bass Pro Shops for more information on its $5.5 billion acquisition of Cabela's, a move that may hold up the deal for up…

Supermarket chain Albertsons Companies is allegedly in advanced talks to acquire Price Chopper for around $1 billion, sources told Fortune. Price Chopper operates roughly 130 stores across the Northeast, and Albertsons has over 2,200 locations — making it the second-largest U.S. grocer behind Kroger. Sources also told Fortune that it’s still possible for the negotiations to…

To help it expand into the sale of personalized goods, Bed Bath & Beyond has acquired online retailer PersonalizationMall.com for around $190 million. Bed Bath & Beyond sees an opportunity to sell items to commemorate events like weddings, birthdays and holidays, and this acquisition figures to help with those efforts. PMall.com sells products such as personalized mugs, doormats…