Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Retail and consumer (R&C) total transaction value in the United States for 2013 surpassed $100 billion for the first time since 2008, according to PwC’s US retail and consumer deals insights 2013 Year in Review and 2014 Outlook report. Deals in the food and beverage sector and private equity (PE) investment in the apparel, footwear and accessories sector continued to drive activity in the R&C industry.

Toronto -- Michael Culhane, CFO of Hudson’s Bay Company, has resigned following a leave of absence from the company.  

Culhane went on personal leave on January 22, at which time COO and president Donald Watros was appointed acting CFO. He will continue in that role until a permanent replacement is named.

“This is the ideal time for me to leave HBC as the company is well positioned for the future,” said Culhane. “I wish all of HBC’s associates and business partners continued success.”

Hudson’s Bay CFO Michael Culhane has resigned his spot following a leave of absence from the company. The news comes two weeks after the company brought in Douglas Scovanner as EVP of finance and accounting on an interim basis to support company president Donald Watros, who assumed the role of acting CFO.

Pittsburgh – Same-store sales at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. rose 6% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, unshifted for the 53rd week in fiscal 2012. The same-store sales results compare to guidance provided in November 2013 for a 2% to 3% increase on an unshifted basis.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. is reportedly considering selling the business. According to Reuters, an anonymous source with inside knowledge said Bebe has hired Guggenheim Securities to help evaluate a possible sale.

New York — Lao Feng Xiang Jewelry has signed a long-term lease for its first North American retail store and showroom at 585 Fifth Avenue in New York City. Slated to open in the fall of 2014, the 6,100-sq.-ft. flagship store will feature three floors plus a basement. The jeweler has more than 2,300 sales outlets around the world.

Winick Realty Group represented the owner, TSW 33 Realty Corp. in the transaction, achieving a record rent that edged close to the record asking price of $2.25 million per year. CBRE represented Lao Feng Xiang.

San Diego - For the month of January 2014, net sales at PriceSmart increased 11.5% to $193.5 million from $173.5 million in January a year earlier. For the four weeks ended Jan. 26, 2014, same-store sales for the 30 warehouse clubs open at least 13 1/2 full months increased 8.4%, compared to the same four-week period last year.

There were 32 warehouse clubs in operation at the end of January 2014, compared to 30 warehouse clubs in operation in January 2013.

New York -- Private equity firm KKR & Co. will acquire National Vision Inc. from Berkshire Partners.

National Vision, which focuses on low-cost glasses and contacts, operates more than 750 retail locations under names that include America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses and Eyeglass World. It also has stores inside Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Fred Meyer, and military bases.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The management team of National Vision is expected to remain a significant investor in the company, KKR said.