Mergers & Acquisitions

DALLAS — A lawyer representing former Tuesday Morning CEO Kathleen Mason asserts the closeout retailer fire her upon learning she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Kathleen Mason, the former President and CEO of the Dallas-based, closeout retailer, has filed charges of disability discrimination against her former employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
 

New York -- Samsonite International is acquiring high-end luggage and leather goods firm Hartmann from Clarion Capital Partners for $35 million.

“The Hartmann brand is an important addition to our portfolio and gives us the ability to successfully expand our presence in the global luxury luggage section,” stated Tim Parker, chairman and CEO, Samsonite.
 

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Harris Teeter plans to expand its presence in existing markets, the company said in its third-quarter earnings release.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NewBrandAnalytics , a global leader in social market intelligence, has appointed two celebrated names in the world of business service software – Kristin Muhlner and Barton Phillips.
 
Muhlner was named CEO and was appointed to the company's board of directors to serve alongside investment giants, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Revolution LLC. Muhlner brings to NewBrandAnalytics 20 years of expertise in building mission critical technology solutions used by Fortune 500 companies.
 

New York -- An affiliate of Manhattan-based real estate company Jemb Realty Corp. has agreed to purchase the leases and certain intellectual assets of Daffy’s Inc. for $43 million, Bloomberg reported. The deal is subject to bankruptcy court approval.

Daffy’s filed for Chapter 11 protection listing assets of $60.2 million and debt of $70.5 million as of July 1. The chain operates 19 stores, with the majority in the New York City metro area.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax reported net income of $10.7 million for the second quarter, besting Wall Street predictions and representing a strong turnaround from last year’s $3 million loss stemming from store closures and severance expenses.
 
Revenue for the quarter slipped 2.7% to $1.6 billion, missing analysts’ forecasted $1.64 billion in revenue. The office supply retailer said it will reinstate its quarterly common stock dividend, which it suspended more than three years ago.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens and Alliance Boots on Thursday announced the completion of Walgreens initial investment in the strategic partnership following receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

The Walgreens investment consists of approximately $4 billion in cash and 83.4 million shares of Walgreens common stock in exchange for a 45% equity stake in Alliance Boots. Walgreens has the option to proceed to a full combination in approximately three years’ time by acquiring the remaining 55% of Alliance Boots.

New York -- Aurora Capital Associates, a real estate investment firm, is reported to be acquiring New York-based discount retailer Daffys with plans to sublease its stores, according to Crain’s New York.

Daffy’s, which operates 19 stores, in July announced plans to liquidate by October.

The company has several prime real estate sites, eight of which are located in prime shopping area of Manhattan.

Real Estate Weekly first reported the news concerning Daffy’s possible acquisition.