Mergers & Acquisitions

The menswear market is hot. Men’s apparel sales in the United States rose 2% in 2014 to $61.3 billion, up from $60.8 billion in 2013.

And Men’s Wearhouse — one of North America’s largest menswear specialty retailers with 1,758 stores — has been taking note.

The retailer is capitalizing on the category’s growth via acquisition-fueled expansion, new designer collections and more customized products and service.

Dallas - Corner Bakery Cafe has found another route to help it reach its goal of doubling its national footprint in the next two years.

The company, which operates more than 185 company-owned and franchised locations around the country, said it plans to expand in the nation's busiest airports. The chain is basing the plans on success of its Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport location in Atlanta.

Irvine, Calif. – Boot Barn Holdings Inc. is looking to expand its ability to serve the needs of omnichannel customers with a new acquisition.

The retailer has completed its previously announced purchase of Sheplers Inc. a western lifestyle company with 25 retail locations across the U.S. and a catalog and e-commerce business.

Boot Barn has taken a significant step forward in its e-commerce strategy now that its acquisition of Sheplers is complete.

Two days before Kraft shareholders are scheduled to vote on a merger with Heinz, the company announced a slew of new executives.

Paulo Basilio was appointed executive vice president and CFO, having joined Heinz in June 2013 as CFO. Kraft's CFO James Kehoe and other Kraft executives are being let go in 30 days or when the merger is completed, Heinz said in a statement.

Several months after its CEO resigned in September, Pep Boys says it is reviewing strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, merger or other deal.

Montreal - Birks Group Inc., which operates 47 luxury jewelry stores in Canada, Florida and Georgia, reported a growing net loss in first quarter 2015 despite improvements in net and same-store sales. Net loss totaled $8.63 million, up from $5.8 million the same period a year earlier.

Although net sales rose 7% to $301.64 million from $281.16 million, increases in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, restructuring, debt extinguishment and asset impairment helped expand net loss. Same-store sales increased 16%.

San Jose, Calif. – The long-anticipated separation of eBay Inc. and PayPal Inc. into two independent, publicly traded companies is almost here. Now that the split has received official approval from the eBay board of directors, it is expected to occur July 17.

York, Pa. - The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. is selling six stores for $84 million to CPA: 17 – Global, a non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) of global net lease REIT W.P. Carey Inc. Bon-Ton will lease the stores back.

Proceeds from the transaction will be used to pay one of two of the company’s mortgage loans due in April 2016. Each loan has about $105 million in principal and consists of 12 properties. Bon-Ton is actively pursuing refinancing options for the second loan.

London - Accenture has completed its acquisition of Javelin Group, a retail strategy consulting and digital transformation services provider. The acquisition was first announced on May 18, 2015.

Javelin Group will be a distinct business unit within Accenture Strategy. Accenture will leverage Javelin’s specialist retail strategy and digital capabilities to help retailers accelerate digital transformation.