Mergers & Acquisitions

Washington, D.C. -- Combined Properties announced that Scott Kend has joined the company as senior director of development & acquisitions, charged with leading Combined's efforts to acquire new value-add retail shopping centers and mixed-use development projects on the West Coast.  

Kend will also be responsible for redeveloping portions of Combined's portfolio of retail centers in the Southern California region, as well as working on its mixed-use developments.  

Dallas -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced it has added the veteran team of Robin Smith and Lance W. Taylor to its retail brokerage team, both as senior VPs and both charged with assisting the firm’s growing client base of both retailers and landlords throughout the Southwest.

The Smith-Taylor team brings with them a two million sq.-ft. portfolio of retail assets that they currently lease on behalf of multiple owners.

Geno Coradini leads Jones Lang LaSalle Retail for the Dallas/Southwest region.

Dick Lynch has joined the SD Retail Consulting division of Hilco Trading as SVP of merchandising and strategy.

In his new role, Lynch will be responsible for helping retailers create shareholder value through process, organization and technology enhancements in the key merchandising and inventory management functions. He will also play a key role in assisting management, owners and lenders in shareholder value creation assignments.

New York -- A New York judge on Thursday rejected a request by Macy's to block J.C. Penney from selling Martha Stewart goods under the "JCP Everyday" label for now, while it appeals a ruling allowing the sale. An order temporarily barring Martha Stewart from selling goods branded with her name at J.C. Penney's is still in place.

New York -- Following unanimous approval in March by the New York City Council for the redevelopment of Pier 17, The Howard Hughes Corp. said it has named RKF as the exclusive consultant and leasing agent for the South Street Seaport.

With 6,700 stores in 12 markets, Tesco is a formidable competitor globally, but Walmart won’t have to worry about competing with the company on its home turf.

SymphonyIRI Group president and CEO Andrew Appel announced this week that the company will revert to its original name, Information Resources, or IRI, as part of a rebranding strategy.

“Our rebranding signifies our promise to continue providing ingenious solutions and capabilities for our clients to enable growth in a highly fragmented, competitive and complex market,” Appel said “We are well positioned to be the catalyst that enables CPG and retail companies to take advantage of new opportunities.”

New York -- Fairway Group Holdings Corp., operator of the Fairway Market grocery chain, said Wednesday that it raised $177.5 million in its initial public offering after pricing the shares above the marketed range.

Fairway sold 13.65 million shares for $13 each, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, after offering them for $10 to $12. At the offering price, the company has a market value of about $536 million.

The shares, which represent a 33% stake, will be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol FWM.