Mergers & Acquisitions
Wal-Mart Stores is in talks to become a partner of Indonesian retailer PT Matahari Putra Prima to develop its hypermarts, according to Reuters. Matahari last month said it will seek a "global partner" to develop its hypermart business.
Multiple news sources have reported that discounter Big Lots is exploring its options, including a potential sale. No reports have yet been confirmed by the retailer.
Footwear retailer DSW and its largest shareholder, Retail Ventures, announced that the two companies have signed a definitive merger agreement providing for RVI to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSW in a tax-free exchange of shares at an exchange ratio of 0.435 DSW shares per each RVI share.
Apple has begun a super-secret quest for a store in historic Grand Central Terminal, potentially creating a hive of buzzing techies in the glamorous Beaux Arts landmark.
BJ's Wholesale Club said that it's decided "to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company." That only confirms what the market has known for months: there's an auction going on for the retailer.
For the first time since launching the makeup brand 16 years ago, Francois Nars will be opening a namesake, stand-alone boutique. It officially opens on Feb. 10 in New York City's West Village.
Destination Maternity, free of the restructuring charges that put a dent into profits last year, said its first-quarter net income more than quadrupled, easily topping Wall Street expectations.
Grocery retailer Supervalu, which operates more than 4,200 stores across the country, will shutter 29 underperforming locations by the end of its fiscal year, which will be in early March. Fifteen of the targeted stores are located in the Northeast. In addition, the company plans to cut 350 corporate jobs by the end of May, in addition to 300 corporate positions it eliminated in 2010.
Urban Outfitters will debut a wedding brand called BHLDN on Valentine's Day. BHLDN's first collection will be offered through its online boutique, www.bhldn.com. The collection will bring together a curated selection of heirloom-quality wedding gowns, bridesmaid frocks, party dresses, assorted jewelry, headpieces, footwear and lingerie.
Wal-Mart said it will be spending half a billion dollars this year to expand in Canada, the latest example ot a retail rush north to take advantage of Canada's relatively robust economy and eager-to-spend consumers.