Mergers & Acquisitions

Off-price retailing is hot, but Neiman Marcus is emphasizing what it knows best.    Neiman Marcus will close 10 of its 37 off-price Last Call stores in order to focus on its full-line luxury department stores. Prior to the news, the retailer has already closed three Last Call outlets this year, including its locations at Allen Premium Outlets, Allen, Texas, and Legacy Place in Dedham, Mass.   

Phillips Edison & Company has acquired a center anchored by Mariano’s grocery in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates.   The 159,443-sq.-ft. Hoffman Village was left two-thirds vacant when Dominick’s closed in 2011, but the emergence of Mariano’s Fresh Market, owned and operated by Roundy’s, returned occupancy back to 94%, according to former owner NewQuest.  

Staples is done trading on Nasdaq.   Sycamore Partners announced that it has completed its acquisition of the office supply giant. Under the terms of the deal, which was announced in June, Staples was acquired by the private equity firm in a transaction valued at approximately $6.9 billion.   

Michael P. Glimcher, who stepped down as the chief executive of WP Glimcher last year, has been named CEO of Starwood Retail Partners. He succeeds Scott Wolstein, who has taken on a new role as senior adviser to the parent company, Starwood Capital Group.  

It only took seven days for Amazon to begin reaping the benefits of its acquisition of Whole Foods Market.  

One of the nation's best-performing department stores retailers may soon be out of the public arena.    Nordstrom family members are close to selecting Leonard Green & Partners to help fund a buyout of their namesake department store, reported CNBC, which cited people familiar with the matter.  

The Fresh Market has ended its search for a new chief executive.   The grocer appointed Larry Appel as the company’s president and CEO, effective immediately. Appel brings nearly 30 years of experience in retail, legal and corporate strategy, and most recently served as CEO of Skeeter Snacks. From 2002 to 2012, he served at Winn-Dixie Stores in a variety of senior leadership roles including COO. Prior to that, he was senior VP of legal at The Home Depot.  

rue21 has cleared a significant hurdle in its effort to move forward after declaring bankruptcy.   

Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods Market appears to be paying off for both parties.    The e-commerce giant has seen a spike in its online grocery sales since it acquired Whole Foods Market, according to a report by Bloomberg, which noted that the online giant immediately put about 2,000 items on its site from Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value private brand, and sold out of almost all of the most-popular items.  

Children’s apparel retailer Gymboree Corp is exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a going concern.   The children's apparel retailer won court approval to exit bankruptcy with a reorganization plan that includes a comprehensive recapitalization that will eliminate about $1 billion in debt. It expects to complete its financial restructuring process and emerge from Chapter 11 by the end of the month.