Mergers & Acquisitions

Elgin, Ill. – Oak Brook, Ill.- based Inland Real Estate Acquisitions has announced the acquisition of South Elgin Commons, a 128,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Elgin, Ill., for approximately $25 million.

The property was 100% leased at closing and is anchored by Ross Dress for Less, Toys “R” Us and LA Fitness.

Philadelphia -- Visionworks, the largest wholly owned U.S.-based optical retailer, has opened its first store in the Philadelphia area. Located in Deptford Township, N.J., it is the first of more than 25 stores expected to open in the market through 2013.

The San Antonio-based retailer plans to open 17 stores before the end of 2012 and additional locations by April 2013.

Los Angeles -- Private equity firm Brentwood Associates has acquired a majority stake in Sundance Holdings Group ("Sundance Catalog").

Sundance Catalog, founded by Robert Redford in 1989 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a multichannel direct marketer and specialty retailer of women's apparel and accessories, jewelry and home furnishings. Selling shareholders, including ACI Capital and Webster Capital, will retain a minority ownership stake, and the business will remain under the leadership of current president and CEO Matey Erdos.

ROCKFORD, Mich. — Wolverine Worldwide reported slight revenue growth as it looks to build its portfolio with the acquisition of the Performance and Lifestyle Group from Collective Brands.

Wolverine Worldwide reported quarterly revenue of $312.7 million, an increase of 0.8% compared with the prior year's second quarter when revenue grew over 20%. 

Reported diluted earnings per share in the quarter were 42 cents, compared with prior year's earnings per share of 48 cents.

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. on Tuesday announced that it is eliminating approximately 350 positions at its headquarters in Plano, Texas, completing a reorganization of its corporate office that it said was designed to create a leaner and more simplified operating structure.

PADUA, Italy — Hugo Boss Group and Safilo Group, premium eyewear manufacturer, hav agreed to an early renewal of their license deal with a term until 2020 for the design, production and worldwide distribution of Boss Black, Boss Orange and Hugo frames and sunglass collections.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney is cutting approximately 350 positions at its headquarters as part of its plan to restructure the company.

New York – Best Buy is cutting 2,400 employees, including 1,800 store employees and 600 Geek Squad technical support associates, employees, as it seeks to restructure operations, the Associated Press reported.

The layoffs amount to about 1.4% of the company’s total staff of 167,000. A Best Buy spokesman, Bruce Hight, said the cuts were part of the company’s “ongoing turnaround plan,” according to the report.