Finance & Capital Management

New York City -- J. Crew Group received no rival bid during a solicitation period and will stick with its nearly $3 billion buyout offer made by two private equity firms in November, according to Reuters. J. Crew agreed in November to be taken private by the two firms. It was able to solicit higher bids until Saturday.

New York City -- The shareholders of South African Massmart chain have overwhelmingly accepted Wal-Mart's offer to buy 51% of their company, the chief executive said Monday, paving the way for Wal-Mart to enter Africa.

Massmart said the proposal was approved by 97% of shareholders who voted Monday -- 75% approval had been needed. Wal-Mart offered 148 rand (about $20) per share in a 17 billion rand (about $2 billion) deal.

The deal will have to be approved by South Africa's anti-monopoly regulators.

Jackson-Hewitt tax preparation kiosks are now open in more than 2,000 Walmart stores in anticipation of an onslaught of consumers eager for their refund to arrive as soon as possible. Nearly half of those who receive a refund get it in February, according to IRS data cited by Walmart, so the retailer is touting the presence of Jackson-Hewitt kiosks in its stores and a preparation fee of $38 for the most basic of returns, the 1040EZ, with only two W2s.

Dow Jones this morning reported that South African retailer and Walmart takeover target Massmart Holdings has given assurances it will continue to honor all agreements with labor unions and local labor laws if the buyout goes through. That’s what Walmart and Massmart have been saying since the deal was announced last year but they have to keep saying it because union activists are everywhere in the world.

MONTVALE, N.J. - A&P announced that sales for the third quarter were $1.8 billion versus $2 billion in last fiscal year’s third quarter. Comparable-store sales decreased 4.9%. The company reported that loss from continuing operations was $181 million versus last year’s third quarter reported loss from continuing operations of $502 million.

MINNEAPOLIS  —Target announced that its chief marketing officer, Michael Francis, will serve as the executive committee sponsor of Target’s entrance into the Canadian market.  In this role, Francis will oversee the extension of Target’s brand as part of the corporation’s first-ever expansion of its stores beyond the United States, the company reported. 

Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Sears Holdings released its year-end outlook for the fiscal year 2010 ending Jan. 29.

For the full year, the company expects a net income of $210 million, with a fourth-quarter income expectation of between $370 million and $450 million, offsetting the company’s past two quarterly losses.

The company also posted up-to-date comparable-store sales for both its Sears Domestic and Kmart stores.

For the quarter-to-date, comparable-store sales for its Sears Domestic stores were down 5.3%, with Kmart stores seeing an increase of 3.4%.

New York City -- Chicago's City Council on Thursday approved a $1 million property tax break for Costco Wholesale Corp. to build its second store in the city, Chicago Business reported.

The tax break was introduced by Mayor Richard M. Daley at a December City Council meeting. He asked that the retailer receive a $1 million tax break over 12 years for a store to be built at 14th Street and Ashland Avenue.

Elizabeth, N.J. -- Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust has announced plans for the largest single-roof top solar system in North America to be built on the roof of Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, N.J.

Los Angeles -- BH Properties announced that Ronald J. Platisha has been promoted to the newly created position of COO.

Platisha will lead the organizational operations while building and maintaining relationships with financial institutions.

Platisha, a 30-year veteran in the commercial real estate industry, has served as CFO at BH Properties for the past four years.