Mergers & Acquisitions

Facebook has acquired location-sharing service Gowalla for an undisclosed sum, according to a source close to Gowalla. Facebook declined to comment on the deal.

The Golf Warehouse announced that it's partnered with Austad’s Golf, forming a powerful collaboration between two leaders in the golf industry. The Golf Warehouse and Austad’s Golf are two of the most well-known golf retailers who have built solid business models by focusing on excellent product selection, affordable pricing and outstanding customer service.

In the latest acquisition by its digital technology division, Wal-Mart has acquired Grabble, an Australian technology startup that's developed a smartphone-friendly point-of-sale app which allows retailers to send digital receipts to customers' mobile devices.

Sally Beauty has acquired Netherlands-based Kappersservice Floral and two related companies, Hair Zone and Exphair, as part of the company’s international growth strategy.

Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York, and Limited Brands announced that Sycamore has acquired a controlling 51 percent interest in Mast Global Fashions, the third-party apparel sourcing division of Limited Brands.

Iconix Brand Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire The Sharper Image brand and intellectual property assets from Sharper Image for about $65.6 million in cash. This acquisition will mark Iconix Brand's first entry into the rising consumer electronics sector.

Brown Shoe said it's finalized the sale of its AND 1 men’s performance and lifestyle brand to Galaxy International for $55 million. The AND 1 brand was part of the $145 million American Sporting Goods acquisition that Brown completed last February in a move to expand its reach into the fitness category.

shopkick announced its first supermarket chain partnership, penning a deal with Giant Eagle to bring activity from the loyalty app into the retailer's 228 stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland. 

Jones Group is considering a sale of its denim business. The company, whose brands include Nine West and Anne Klein, said Oct. 11 that it's in talks with clothing maker Delta Galil Industries to sell its jeanswear division for about $350 million to $400 million. Jones expects talks to be completed by the end of the month, but said a deal hasn't been reached and a transaction isn't guaranteed.

<span class="articleLocation">A.C. Moore has agreed to be bought by an affiliate of privately held larger rival Sbar's for about $40.8 million in cash. The Sbar's affiliate will pay $1.60 for each A.C. Moore share, a 68 percent premium. A.C. Moore, which also withdrew its outlook, said the Sbar's affiliate received a financing commitment from Wells Fargo to provide debt financing for the deal.