Mergers & Acquisitions

Lidl is coming out of the starting gate in the United States earlier than expected — and it isn’t going to waste any time ramping up its store base.   The discount grocer will open its first U.S. stores this summer, with plans to open up to 100 locations across the East Coast within a year, the Associated Press reported. The chain initially had said it planned to enter the U.S. market no later than 2018.    

BJ’s Wholesale Club could see a change in ownership.   The company’s private equity owners, Leonard Green & Partners and CVS Capital Partners Ltd., are hiring investment bankers to advise them on options, reported the Wall Street Journal.   The two buyout firms acquired BJ’s in 2011 for approximately $3 billion. The retailer, which is based in Westborough, Massachusetts, operates 213 stores and 130 BJ's Gas locations 15 states.    

The online retailer is expanding its presence in California.   Amazon has pre-leased an additional one million sq. ft. of logistics space from Goodman Commerce Center Eastvale, California, according to a statement by Goodman. Goodman will construct the logistics center for Amazon.  

CBL & Associates has named Curt Hammontree VP of development. In nearly 18 years with the company, he has worked on 18 mall and outlet developments, the most recent being an outlet project in Laredo, Texas.   “Curt has been a valuable contributor to CBL’s successful development,” said president and CEO Stephen Lebovitz. “We are pleased to be able to recognize his many achievements with this promotion.”  

The ever-expanding Dollar General has entered its 44th state.   The discounter opened a store in Hankinson, North Dakota. The company plans to open six additional locations in the state through spring 2017.   

These are tough times for outdoor/sporting goods retailers.   Gander Mountain is reportedly considering filing Chapter11 bankruptcy protection, according to Reuters.    Founded in 1960, Gander Mountain specializes in fishing, camping and hunting gear and accessories, and bills itself as “America’s firearms superstore.”   

It’s not over yet for the embattled Sears Holdings, which is streamlining its operations on the heels of what appears to be a brutal fourth quarter.    The long-struggling retailer on Friday announced a comprehensive restructuring that will cut at least $1 billion in operating costs a year. The plan involves reducing corporate overhead (although Sears did not specify, job cuts are likely), closer integration of the Sears and Kmart operations and improving its merchandising, supply chain and inventory management.

J.Jill Group is looking at a return to the public markets. The apparel retailer, which is owned by private-equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners LP, announced that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. TowerBrook acquired J.Jill from Arcapita and Golden Gate Capital in 2015. The chain was previously owned by The Talbots.