Finance & Capital Management

The Home Depot had acquired a company that will it enable it to expand its tool and equipment rental offerings to both professional and do-it-yourself customers.   After years of working with Compact Power Equipment, The Home Depot announced a deal to acquire the equipment rental and maintenance services company for $265 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the company's fiscal second quarter.  

The town managers of New Lenox, Illinois, needed a new train station, so they bought a shopping center.   It was three years ago that Mayor Tim Baldermann and New Lenox purchased the Rock Island Station Shopping Center, according to the Chicago Tribune.  It invested more than $3 million in the site, which included buying out the businesses of the four stores there, demolishing them, and doing an environmental clean-up.    

Victoria's Secret is casting a shadow on parent company L Brands.   L Brands said that net sales fell 6% to $1.21 billion for the five weeks ending period ending July 2. Total same-store sales fell 9%, worse than expected, dragged down by a 17% decline at Victoria's Secret. On the positive side, same-store sales rose 8% at Bath & Body Works.  

CBL has named Alan Lebovitz senior VP of management to succeed Jerry Sink, who has retired after a 25-year career at the company. Lebovitz will oversee the staff and operations at the company’s 123 properties, a responsibility that encompasses some 300 employees and 77 million sq. ft. of retail.  

Premium denim brand True Religion Apparel Inc. has struck a deal to erase $350 million of its debt.    The company announced Wednesday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and signed a restructuring agreement with the majority of its lenders, including private equity owner TowerBrook Capital Partners. It listed assets and liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million.  

Technology giants, including a retailer, dominated an annual ranking of the world's most valuable brands.   

Amazon has completed its acquisition of e-commerce company souq.com, a leader in the Middle East's online shopping market. The deal, which was initially announced in March, closed for $580 million in cash, according to filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.   

The RoomPlace growing its store portfolio.   The family-owned company has opened a new showroom and warehouse distribution center in Indianapolis. The location is part of a strategic initiative to expand the furniture retailer's footprint in the city.   The new outpost also marks The RoomPlace's 25th store, with locations across Illinois and Indiana. It is one of the company's largest, at over 70,000 sq. ft. features a 16,000-sq.-ft. clearance center.   

West Marine Inc. is going private.   The retailer of boating gear, apparel and other waterlife-related products has agreed to be acquired by New York-based Monomoy Capital Partners for $12.97 per share. The deal has a total equity value of $338 million.  Following the close of the deal, West Marine will continue to be operated independently by the company's management team.  

Camping World Holdings has given an update on its plans for Gander Mountain.   Camping World, which acquired the assets of Gander Mountain and boating division Overton's in a bankruptcy auction in May, said it plans to operate 57 locations — assuming details can be worked out with landlords and final acceptable leases agreed to. Liquidation sales started in May at all 160 Gander stores.