Mergers & Acquisitions

ABILENE, Kan. — Argonne Capital Group LLC, a private investment firm based in Atlanta, Ga., has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Alco Stores, which will allow Argonne to acquire all outstanding shares of the broad-line retailer’s common stock for $14 per share in cash. 

Warren, Mich. -- Art Van Furniture plans to convert 31 Mattress World locations in Michigan and Indianapolis to its signature Art Van PureSleep brand, which is known its diagnostic system that determines the exact mattress and pillow best suited for each individual's comfort. 

The conversion, which will begin August 1st, will be completed by the end of 2013, and will result in a total of 76 Art Van PureSleep stores.

Leading payments processor Vantiv cited strength in its e-commerce business as a key driver of a second quarter performance that saw revenues increase 11% to $519.4 million and profits on an adjusted basis increase 21.6% to $82.7 million, or 40 cents a share. Vantiv said its e-commerce business grew by 38% during the second quarter.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced  that it has signed its first Southern California multi-unit store development agreements,  with four franchise groups for a total commitment of 45 locations. 

The first restaurants are expected to open in 2015 in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Some non-traditional Dunkin' Donuts locations may open over the next several months. 

Abilene, Kan. -- Alco Stores Inc. has entered into an agreement to be acquired by private investment firm Argonne Capital Group LLC.

The Atlanta-based Argonne will acquire all the outstanding share of Alco's common stock for $14 per share in cash. The proposed transaction, expected to close later year, would total about $47 million.

Alco's board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and is recommending that shareholders approve it.

Houston – The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. has reached an agreement to repurchase $100 million worth of common stock from JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA under an accelerated share repurchase program. The retailer will buy the shares as part of an ongoing $200 million share repurchase program announced in March of this year. Men’s Wearhouse expects to close the transaction by the end of fourth quarter 2013.

Pittsburgh — GNC Holdings has announced that it is expanding its retail presence in China with the opening of its first stand-alone store in Shanghai. GNC plans to open an additional 25 locations in China over the next 12 months.

The company currently operates more than 60 store-within-a-store locations in eight grocery, convenience and health and wellness chains in China.

Naperville, Ill. – OfficeMax Inc. is promoting Deb O’Connor, senior VP of finance and chief administrative officer, to interim CFO. She will replace Bruce Besanko, executive VP and CFO, who will leave the company to become the executive VP and CFO of Supervalu Inc. His last day at OfficeMax will be Aug. 6. A five-year veteran of OfficeMax, O'Connor previously served as senior VP and controller of the ServiceMaster Company.