Mergers & Acquisitions

The Toronto-based Slate Retail REIT announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire five grocery-anchored centers in Florida and Pennsylvania for a total of $105 million.   “This five-asset portfolio meets all of our acquisition criteria -- attractive returns, markets we like that add scale, pricing well below replacement cost, strong anchors, and in-place rents that are below market,” said Slate CEO Greg Stevenson.  

Bankrupt fashion retailer BCBG Max Azria Group has reached an agreement on a comprehensive restructuring.   It includes the possible sale of nearly all the retailer's assets to Marquee Brands LLC and Global Brands Group Holding Limited. The completion of the transactions with Marquee and Global Brands are expected to immediately follow approval by the United States Bankruptcy Court. The expected closing date is no later than July 31, 2017.   

It appears that L'Oreal has settled on a buyer for The Body Shop.   The French cosmetics giant is in exclusive talks to sell its Body Shop division to Brazilian make-up company Natura Cosmeticos, Bloomberg reported. The reported price: $1.1 billion,   Natura is the largest Brazilian cosmetics company.   The transaction would be subject to regulatory approval and would be expected to close later this year.    

One of the world's largest retailers has appointed a new chief executive as its looks to catch up with the online revolution and shore up its home performance.   Carrefour has named Alexandre Bompard, 44, as its new chairman and CEO, effective July 18, ending an eight-month search. He succeeds Georges Plassat, who has served in the top position at the hypermarket retailer, which operates more than 11,900 stores in over 30 countries, since 2012.   

A new report suggests that Walgreens Boots Alliance’s acquisition of Rite Aid may be in jeopardy.    The Capital Forum reported that the Federal Trade Commission's staff are prepared to recommend that the agency file a lawsuit to stop the deal, according to Reuters. A source close to the deal told Reuters that FTC staff has asked companies and groups concerned about the deal for depositions and affidavits that could be used in a lawsuit aimed at stopping it.  

Ascena Retail Group, operators of such brands as Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant and Dressbarn, is planning to close hundreds of stores. The news came on the heels of a brutal third quarter.   The company reported a net loss of $1.031 billion, or $5.29 per diluted share in the third quarter ended April 29, compared to net income of $15 million last year, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.   

BJ's Wholesale Club is set to open its first location in South Carolina.   The retailer will celebrate the grand opening of its new location in Summerville, South Carolina on Saturday, June 10. The store, which marks BJ's expansion into South Carolina, is located at the intersection of Interstate 26 and North Main Street, Summerville's primary retail corridor.  

Greg Portell, lead partner in the retail practice of A.T. Kearney, a global strategy and management consulting firm, answers a few questions regarding the news that Nordstrom may go private.    What does this move mean for Nordstrom — how might it play out?