Mergers & Acquisitions

If there was a bright spot to Walmart’s fourth-quarter results it was the international division where sales increased in every country, expansion surged and operating profits increased 9.7% to $5.4 billion on sales that increased 7.6% to $104.8 billion. Those results are on a constant currency basis that assumes foreign exchanges rates are consistent year over year and present a more accurate view of country-by-country performance.

Redmond, Wash. -- PlayNetwork said Thursday it has launched into the European market and acquired Absolute Audio Systems Ltd., a U.K.-based provider of commercial media products and A/V systems integration services across Europe.

Wake Forest, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers announced the opening of the anchor tenant, Harris Teeter, for Harris Crossing located in Wake Forest, N.C. Harris Teeter will operate a 53,282-sq.-ft. store.  

Together with partner WelCor Development, Regency closed on the purchase of 15 acres of undeveloped land in 2008 in order to build the 65,150-sq.-ft. neighborhood center which includes 12,150 sq. ft. of small shop space and three outparcels.

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported a 15% drop in fourth-quarter earnings, dragged down by costs to close its A.J. Wright store division. The company also plans to repurchase $1.2 billion of its stock this fiscal year and raise its dividend.

The retailer earned $334.4 million in the three months ended Jan. 29, compared with $394.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 6.5% to $6.33 billion. Same-store sales were up 2% over the prior year’s strong 12% increase.

FORT MEYERS, Fla. — Chico's FAS announced Tuesday that it has appointed Kent Kleeberger to the position of EVP and COO.

Kleeberger will replace Jeffrey Jones, who is retiring from the company, effective March 7. Jones will serve as part-time consultant to the company during a transition period.

Kleeberger, 58, has served as EVP finance and CFO of Chico's FAS since joining the company in November 2007. Previously, he was SVP and CFO for Dollar Tree Stores.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Joint venture affiliates of Terranova Corp. and Acadia Realty Trust announced they have closed on the acquisition of three Lincoln Road properties in Miami Beach, Fla.

The approximately $52 million deal adds just over 61,000 sq. ft. to their urban street-front retail portfolios.

Current tenants at the properties include Starbucks, Geox Shoes, and Zagat-rated restaurants Sushi Samba Dromo and Tacontento. Terranova will manage and lease the Lincoln Road properties.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy said in fiscal 2012 it will concentrate on growing its smaller-format mobile chain and restructure parts of its supply chain processes to cut costs and improve efficiency. The retailer plans to open about 150 Best Buy Mobile stand-alone-stores in the United States, for a total of some 325 locations by year-end.

Best Buy plans to open about six to eight Best Buy-branded large-format stores in the United States, along with 18 Best Buy stores in Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico during the year.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — TJX Cos. reported a 15% drop in fourth-quarter earnings, dragged down by costs to close its A.J. Wright store division. The company also plans to repurchase $1.2 billion of its stock this fiscal year and raise its dividend.

The retailer earned $334.4 million in the three months ended Jan. 29, compared with $394.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 6.5% to $6.33 billion. Same-store sales were up 2% over the prior year’s strong 12% increase.