Mergers & Acquisitions

Manhattan Associates announced a CEO succession plan in conjunction with strong second quarter results that saw the provider of supply chain optimization services increase its full year profit forecast.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma has promoted Julie Whalen, SVP, acting CFO, has been appointed EVP, CFO.

MALIBU, Calif. — Jakks Pacific has acquired Ohio-based Maui Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of spring and summer activity toys, outdoor sports related toys, impulse toys including the popular Wave Hoop and Sky Ball products under the Maui Toys brand.

Jakks Pacific has acquired all of the shares of stock of Maui, a 24-year-old, privately held company, and its Hong Kong based affiliate A.S. Design Limited. The business is comprised of proprietary non-licensed brands.

Melville, N.Y. -- Commercial real estate consulting, advisory and investment group A&G Realty Partners announced that Peter Lynch and Andrew Margolick have joined the firm as partners.

Lynch joins A&G from DJM Realty, where he was a principal and senior managing director, and Margolick was president of his own firm, ARM Consulting, as well as a former VP at Hilco Real Estate.

The Polaroid company may have went through its share of financial difficulties, but there is plenty of equity left in the brand name and Walmart’s Asda unit is looking to capitalize on it this month with a new line of consumer electronics.

Asda this week began offering an exclusive range of CE items including televisions, media players and audio equipment under the Polaroid brand.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group said it has named Cal Frese as CEO of the company’s Americas business. In this role, Frese has responsibility for leading CBRE’s largest business segment, with more than $3 billion of annual revenue and more than 20,000 employees.

New York -- Fifth and Pacific Cos. reported Thursday that it narrowed its loss in the second quarter to $52.1 million, compared with a loss of $89.9 million in the same period last year.  Results, which beat Wall Street expectations, were boosted by strong sales from the Kate Spade and Lucky Brand banners.

The company that was formerly known as Liz Claiborne Inc. saw net sales fall 6.5% to $336.9 million in the quarter, which still beat analysts’ forecasted $330.8 million.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has hired a long-time retail marketing executive, with extensive experience in the beauty and apparel sectors, to help develop the Shopko brand as it moves forward with the conversion of its newly acquired Pamida stores to the Shopko Hometown format.