Mergers & Acquisitions

Amazon wasn’t always a threat to Walmart, but as the only retailer grows and offers more of the same products as traditional mass retailers, it has become hard to ignore. This article from Businessweek examines how Amazon has influenced Walmart’s approach to online.

Indianapolis -- Mall owner Simon Property Group said Tuesday that Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will anchor the company’s two new centers in development in its Premium Outlets division: Phoenix Premium Outlets and St. Louis Premium Outlets.

Phoenix Premium Outlets in Chandler, Ariz., is currently under construction with a spring 2013 opening planned. Phase 1 of the center will be comprised of 360,000 sq. ft. housing approximately 90 outlet stores featuring high-quality designer and name brands.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN has acquired lifestyle brand Chasing Fireflies. Terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.

The purchase, which was made through the multichannel retailer’s Cornerstone Brands segment, will accelerate HSN’s move into content-driven lifestyle businesses.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Fameco Real Estate announced that David Hinkle has joined the company as VP business development. 

Hinkle previously served as president and CEO of NMD, the holding company for National Book Warehouse and The Book Market, a discount book seller with 185 stores; most recently he was CEO and Co-founder of VPI Business Advisors.

 

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — TJX's board of directors has raised the company's quarterly dividend by 21% from the last dividend paid. The board declared a regular quarterly dividend in the amount of 11.5 cents per share, payable May 31 to shareholders of record on May 10.

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- HSN announced Monday it has acquired lifestyle brand Chasing Fireflies. Terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.

The purchase, which was made through the multichannel retailer’s Cornerstone Brands segment, will accelerate HSN’s move into content-driven lifestyle businesses.

PHILADELPHIA — Pep Boys sales were up in the fourth quarter, but were earnings were down on merger costs and other expenses. The company reported that sales for the thirteen weeks ended Jan. 28 increased by $27.9 million, or 5.9%, to $505.3 million from $477.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended Jan. 29, 2011. Comparable sales increased slightly (0.8%) and consisted of a decrease of 0.1% in comparable service revenue and an increase of 1% in comparable merchandise sales.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has brought in someone with both advertising and retail experience to oversee its marketing efforts. The company announced that Jeffrey Jones, II has been named as the company’s EVP and chief marketing officer, effective immediately.