Finance & Capital Management

London -- British women’s activewear brand Sweaty Betty plans to expand its presence in the United States. The London-based company has received a strategic growth investment from U.S. private equity firm Catterton. Sweaty Betty operates more than 40 stores in the United Kingdom, and two in the United States, where it also recently launched a website.

San Francisco – Port management temporarily halted vessel loading and unloading operations at West Coast ports the weekend of Feb. 7-8. In a statement, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing port management, said it did not want to offer port workers premium pay for diminished productivity in light of continued work slowdowns caused by disagreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) over issues such as pay, pensions and contract arbitration.

Washington, D.C. - Retail industry employment increased by 34,800 jobs in January 2015, as retailers held on and even added to their staffs following the holiday shopping season. According to data from the National Retail Federation, monthly gains occurred in the sporting goods, non-store (e-commerce), and general merchandise store verticals.

Total retail employment increased by 215,600 jobs on a year-to-year basis, according to NRF’s calculations, which do not include automobile dealerships, gasoline stations or restaurants.

Hangzhou, China – Alibaba Holding Group Inc. is bolstering its mobile commerce position by purchasing a $590 million minority stake in Chinese smartphone manufacturer Meizu. As a result of the investment, Alibaba and Meizu will collaborate to integrate Meizu’s hardware and Alibaba’s mobile operating system.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets has promoted James Walker to president of operations and development. Formerly Johnny Rockets' chief development officer, Walker was recently promoted because of his role in orchestrating the franchise's record growth and development since joining in December 2013.

Chesapeake, Va. - Dollar Tree Inc. is arranging financing for its pending acquisition of Family Dollar Stores Inc. To that end, Dollar Tree has priced a private offering of $$2.5 billion of senior notes due 2023 and $750 million of senior notes due 2020. The 2023 notes will bear an annual interest rate of 5.75% and the 2020 notes will bear an annual interest rate of 5.25%.

Dollar Tree has also arranged for a $1 billion term loan with interest of LIBOR plus 2.25% and a $3.95 billion term loan with interest of LIBOR (subject to a 0.75% floor) plus 3.5%.

Phoenix – Same-store sales rose 2.6% at PetSmart Inc. during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Average ticket increased 2%, and same-store transactions increased 0.6%.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts is recruiting franchisees to develop an estimated 10 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout Birmingham, Alabama, and the surrounding areas. In addition, a number of existing operating restaurants may be available for purchase.

Currently there are 21 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants operating in Alabama.

Every time a retailer files for bankruptcy I am reminded of a harshly appropriate comment Jay Leno made in a monologue years ago after an icon of American retailing succumbed to market forces.

Montgomery Ward (remember them?), a company with an illustrious history that had a tremendous influence on the evolution of the retail industry, filed for bankruptcy in 1997 and was later liquidated.

Facing significant headwinds in its core business of bookselling, Books-A-Million has received a take-private proposal by the family who hold a majority of the company's shares.

The Anderson family has proposed to acquire 100 percent of the company's outstanding shares for $2.75 per share. Books-A-Million’s board of directors has appointed a special committee of independent directors to consider the proposal. The special committee has retained King & Spalding LLP as its legal counsel, and is in the process of retaining financial advisers.