Finance & Capital Management

A premium children’s brand is planning a growth spurt.    Private equity firm L Catterton has acquired Hanna Andersson for an undisclosed sum, with the intent of expanding the Swedish children’s apparel retailer across its channels.   Hanna Andersson currently operates a robust e-commerce and catalog business in addition to 55 retail stores and 11 outlet locations.  

Not even a political slug fest can shake the current consumer. The latest Nielsen Consumer Confidence Index showed that consumer confidence in the U.S. is on the rise, despite the uncertainty and starkly contrasting rhetoric around key economic issues.   Per the Index, Americans remained optimistic in the second quarter with a three-point confidence increase to 113. In contrast, the global consumer confidence index for the same period was flat at 98.   Other U.S. highlights include: 

GameStop Corp. has acquired three AT&T mobility banners, which will add 507 wireless units to its global base of stores. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed.  

Ice cream lovers in Lebanon will soon have a new confectionary option, as Cold Stone Creamery has announced plans to open multiple locations throughout the country over the next few years, beginning with the capital city of Beirut.    Kahala Brands, the parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, has granted MNM Investments Lebanon SAL, part of M1 Group, the master franchise rights to Lebanon under a 10-year master franchise agreement.  

Smoothie operator Tropical Smoothie Café has refreshed its brand by blending a coastal atmosphere and elevated customer experience – with plans to take the new look and feel to locations nationwide.   "As Tropical Smoothie Cafe continued growing and evolving over the past several years, it became obvious to us that our brand's image needed to follow suit,” said Mike Rotondo, CEO. The company launched the rebranding via a new restaurant design that it plans to introduce to new and existing stores.

Steve Tanger is more than CEO of outlet giant Tanger Factory Outlet Centers – he is also an effective talking head.     Tanger appeared as a featured guest on CNBC's "Mad Money with Jim Cramer" on Thursday, July 28, and talked about the consistent strength of the outlet market despite a volatile retail industry.   

Mike McNamara isn’t shy about making changes.   Target Corp.’s chief information officer has launched a hiring spree aimed at turning Target into an engineering powerhouse.   Click here for more. 

Kristin Campbell is executive VP and general counsel for Hilton Worldwide Holdings, but it’s her prior office supply retail experience that motivated Office Depot to proffer a seat on the board.   Prior to joining Hilton, Campbell spent 18 years at Staples, where she was most recently senior VP, general counsel and corporate secretary.