Mergers & Acquisitions

The nation's leading salon operator has entered into a major transaction that will reshape its portfolio.    Regis Corporation announced it has sold substantially all of its mall-based salon businesses in North America and entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of its International segment to The Beautiful Group, an affiliate of Regent, who will operate them as the company’s largest franchisee.  

Cyber-thieves have found their way into Whole Foods Markets’ payment network.   The natural foods grocer, which Amazon purchased for $13.7 billion in August, learned that payment card information processed at certain venues within some of its stores, such as taprooms and full table-service restaurants, has been breached. These venues use a different point-of-sale system than the company’s primary checkout systems.   

Private-label introductions are increasing on a seemingly daily basis, but Amazon-owned products are transforming the marketplace.   This was according to “AmazonBasics Spearheads Amazon Private Brands,” research from One Click Retail.   

Walmart is about to debut a new initiative to bolster its defenses against its biggest rival.   The discounter's Jet.com site is launching a higher-end private-label brand of household and grocery essentials. The new brand, called Uniquely J, will launch in the coming months with a curated selection of products that include such essentials as coffee, olive oil, laundry detergent, paper towels, and more. Additional items will be added.    

The acquisition of TaskRabbit allows Ikea to efficiently remove one key barrier (the dislike of furniture assembly) for a segment of customers that have until this point avoided Ikea.  

Gymboree has emerged from bankruptcy with a reduced footprint — and with new owners.   The children's apparel retailer announced Friday that it has successfully completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 as a new corporation under the name Gymboree Group. The company exited bankruptcy with a reorganization plan that includes a comprehensive recapitalization that will eliminate more than $900 billion in debt and a reduced store footprint.   

Art Van Furniture will take over a 34,000-sq.-ft. space vacated by H.H. Gregg at Gurnee Town Center in Illinois, according to owner Retail Properties of America, Inc. The electronics chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year.   Art Van will bring the center to 98% occupied, according to RPAI, joining DSW, Old Navy, Starbucks, Ross Dress for Less, Five Below, and Bath & Body Works at the center west of Waukegan.  

Rite Aid Corp. appointed a Walgreens veteran to its executive team.   Rite Aid on Thursday named Kermit Crawford as president and COO, effective Oct. 5. Crawford enjoyed a long, 30-year career with Walgreens, most recently as executive VP and president of pharmacy health and wellness. Most recently, he served as a retail and healthcare adviser and consultant for Sycamore Partners, a New York City-based private equity firm.