Mergers & Acquisitions

New York -- Off-price retailer Loehmann's announced that Jeffrey Cripe is joining the Loehmann's advisory board, as the company builds its online marketplace. Founded in 1921, the company closed its brick-and-mortar stores after its bankruptcy in 2013. Now under new ownership, the brand is being expanded online.

Chicago -- HRC Advisory, a strategic retail advisory firm and unit of Hilco Global, announced that it has promoted Farla Efros, an accomplished retailing and merchandising strategist, to the position of president. She will continue to report to Antony Karabus, CEO of HRC Advisory.  

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group and Hilco Merchant Resources announced that they will begin going-out-of-business sales at Simply Fashion and Dots retail locations nationwide beginning May 7.

Chicago -- Tucker Development, in joint venture with Hutensky Capital Partners, announced the $57.25 million acquisition of Town Square Wheaton (TSW), a 200,000-sq.-ft. shopping, dining and office destination located in Wheaton, Illinois.
 

New York -- Global Brands Group has named former Ann Taylor and May Company executive Adrienne Lazarus as CEO of The Frye Company, one of the holding company’s premier brands.

Toronto -- Canadian Tire Corp. has concluded an agreement to acquire 12 real estate leases formerly held by Target Canada for $17.7 million. The transaction is subject to the approval of the court in connection with Target Canada's CCAA proceedings.

New York -- Borderfree, a provider of cross-border e-commerce services, announced that it signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Pitney Bowes Inc. for $14 per share in cash, or approximately $395 million. The acquisition comes as Pitney Bowes looks to expand more into software and digital-commerce services.

Whole Foods Market set another sales record in the second quarter – but that’s not enough for the grocery chain, which announced it is launching a new store concept targeted to the Millennial shopper.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Retail Properties of America announced that it has closed on the off-market acquisition of a 38,000-sq.-ft. community center located in Tysons Corner, which is in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore corridor.

Recently renovated in 2012, the property is anchored by Golfsmith and shadow-anchored by Best Buy. It is also supported by national fast-causal restaurant offerings including Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and Roti. The property was purchased off-market for approximately $31.6 million.

Seattle -- Nordstrom may well be the first public company to have three presidents as co-presidents. The department store retailer on Tuesday announced that Blake Nordstrom, Pete Nordstrom and Erik Nordstrom have been named co-presidents of Nordstrom.

The new titles are, to a large extent, symbolic. The three executives will retain their current roles and responsibilities and will continue to serve on the Nordstrom board. There will be no change to their annual compensation.