Finance & Capital Management

While Finish Line notched up reasonable overall sales growth in its third quarter, this has been overshadowed by both very weak comparables and an almost doubling of net losses to $40.4 million.     Overall, the results are markedly worse than last quarter when total sales grew by 5.4%, aided by a 5.1% growth in comparables.  

Did Amazon’s website had a technical glitch on one of the biggest shoppings day of the year?   According to various reports, Amazon’s site had a glitch on  “Super Saturday”  that temporarily prevented customers from making purchases.   

Amazon is continuing to build out its already expansive fulfillment network.    The online giant plans to open two new facilities in Aurora, Ill, generating more than 1,000 additional full-time jobs with benefits to the state. Amazon currently operates warehouses in Edwardsville, Joliet and three facilities in Romeoville. Another depot is currently under construction in Monee.  

Walgreens Boots Alliance and Rite Aid have entered into an agreement to sell 865 Rite Aid stores and certain assets related to store operations to Fred’s for $950 million.   The transaction is subject to Federal Trade Commission approval, the approval and completion of the pending acquisition of Rite Aid by Walgreens Boots Alliance, and other customary closing conditions.  

Officials from the city of Troy, Michigan, made the rounds of the New York Deal Making show looking for a partner to help them erect a proposed $350 million town center.  

French children’s clothing company Orchestra-Premaman SA has won its battle to acquire to acquire Destination Maternity Corp.    The deal calls for Orchestra to acquire Destination Maternity for about $7.05 a share, valuing the U.S. retailer at about $100 million according to its share count.  

American Apparel’s financial saga is winding down.  

CBL announced it has closed on a sale of three Tier 3 malls to Hull Property Group for a price of $32.25 million. Changing hands are the Randolph Mall in Asheboro, North Carolina, and the Regency Mall in Racine, Wisconsin.    The identity of the third property was not disclosed.