Mergers & Acquisitions

Nordstrom to Acquire HauteLook
February 18, 2011

Nordstrom announced it's entered into an agreement to acquire HauteLook. Nordstrom said the acquisition will enable it to participate in the fast-growing private sale marketplace and provide a platform to increase innovation and speed in the way it serves customers in all channels.

Target Becomes First Store to Open in a Historic Landmark
February 17, 2011

Target’s new small-format store in Chicago will be the first store in a U.S. historic landmark — the newly restored Carson Pirie Scott building, now known as Sullivan Center. Target also announced that its small-format locations across the U.S. including the new Chicago store, will be named CityTarget.

Wal-Mart Inching Closer to Buying South Africa’s Massmart
February 17, 2011

South Africa’s competition watchdog has recommended that Wal-Mart Stores’ proposed takeover of the country’s retail chain Massmart be unconditionally approved without conditions. Wal-Mart made a $2.4 billion bid for Massmart in November, and a vast majority of the target company’s shareholders voted to approve the deal last month.

Home Depot to Make 60,000 Seasonal Hires
February 16, 2011

The Home Depot said it will hire more than 60,000 seasonal associates in time for the company's second annual Spring Black Friday event. The retailer will implement the spring promotion market-by-market over four different weekends in the spring. The event marks the start of home improvement's busiest shopping season. 

Green Mountain, Starbucks In Team-up Talks: Report
February 15, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO -- Shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. climbed 7.4% Monday, spiking shortly before the close of trading in New York. Green Mountain and Starbucks Corp. have been in "ongoing partnership negotiations," Reuters reported, citing a source close to the talks. Reuters also said that Starbucks aims to be a big player in the fast-growing single-serve coffee segment that Green Mountain dominates. Shares of Green Mountain last traded at $46.62, while Starbucks shares added 0.8% to $33.61. Copyright © 2011 MarketWatch, Inc.

Abercrombie & Fitch to Close 56 Stores
February 15, 2011

Abercrombie & Fitch has had strong financial results since mid-2010, but it was one of the slowest major retailers to respond to the new reality of the recession, and as a result its recovery lagged far behind most of its competitors.

Amid Bankruptcy, Blockbuster Deploys 3,000 Kiosks
February 15, 2011

Blockbuster plans to cash in on the DVD rental kiosk trend in 2011 by installing 3,000 more of its Express kiosks, even as the retailer closed stores and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.

Barnes & Noble Wants Amazon's Rejected Affiliates
February 15, 2011

Barnes & Noble issued an open letter to Amazon affiliates attempting to capitalize on problems the online retailer faces with some state tax authorities. States such as New York have told Amazon it must collect state sales tax because its affiliates count as a physical presence. In response, Amazon has shut off affiliates in states that have enacted such laws.

American Eagle Shares Surge as Speculation Mounts Over Retail Takeover
February 11, 2011

American Eagle Outfitters surged the most in almost two years in New York trading on speculation the teen clothing retailer may be a takeover target. The shares rose $1.34, or 9.1 percent, to $16.03 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading for the largest gain since April 2009.