Mergers & Acquisitions

San Antonio, Texas - CST Brands Inc and CrossAmerica Partners LP have agreed to jointly purchase 22 convenience stores in San Antonio and Austin, Texas from Landmark Industries, their third combined acquisition in less than three months. The 22 stores operate under the Timewise brand name and provide Shell-branded fuel.   

Beijing – Baidu, China’s leading search engine, is investing an unspecified amount of money in U.S. online transportation service Uber. Under the terms of the agreement, Baidu will invest in Uber and enable users of Baidu Map and Mobile Baidu, Baidu’s flagship mobile search app, to connect easily with Uber driver-partners.  

Cary, N.C. – Things are hopping at convenience store/gas station chain The Pantry Inc. According to the Wall Street Journal, the operator of Kangaroo Express and other convenience store banners is preparing to sell itself and already took bids in an auction run by a private investment bank the week of Dec. 8.  

Toronto  - Hudson’s Bay Co. has named Gerald Storch, the former CEO of Toys “R” Us, as its new CEO, effective January 6.  An industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, Storch oversaw the expansion of Toys “R” Us online and international business. Prior to joining the toy giant, he was vice-chairman of  Target Corp., where he founded target.com, and ran the chain’s grocery business.  

Hudson’s Bay Co. has looked to a Toys “R” Us veteran as its pick for its next CEO effective Jan. 5, although current CEO Richard Baker will stay on as governor and executive chairman of the retailing company.

Gerald Storch, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, oversaw the expansion of Toys “R” Us online and international business. Prior to joining the toy giant, he was vice chairman of Target Corp., where he founded Target.com, and ran the chain’s grocery business. 

New York - In a long-awaited decision handed down late Monday, Dov Charney, the controversial founder of American Apparel, has been fired "for cause" as CEO. He was suspended as president and CEO of the hipster apparel chain in June for alleged misconduct and violations of company policy, American Apparel said in a statement. The decision was made by the board’s “suitability committee,” which was formed in the wake of Charney’s suspension to oversee an internal investigation.

Brisbane, Calif. - bebe stores announded that Jim Wiggett has been named CEO and appointed to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. He has been serving as interim chief executive since June 2014.  

Fort Worth, Texas – Struggling consumer electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. has named Carlin Adrianopoli, a consultant with strategic advisory and interim management services firm FTI Consulting, as its new interim CFO. Adrianopoli replaces Alix Partners managing director Holly Etlin, who was named interim CFO in September 2014 to replace previous CFO John Feray after he resigned.  

Brown Shoe Co. has sold its Shoes.com online division to a Seattle company looking to compete in a market dominated by Amazon.com and Foot Locker.

SHOEme, parent of OnlineShoes.com and Shoeme.ca, is purchasing Shoes.com for an undisclosed price, the companies said.

Struggling consumer electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. has named Carlin Adrianopoli, a consultant with strategic advisory and interim management services firm FTI Consulting, as its new interim CFO.

Adrianopoli replaces Alix Partners managing director Holly Etlin, who was named interim CFO in September to replace previous CFO John Feray after he resigned.

Adrianopoli, 39, has been a senior managing director in the FTI Consulting Corporate Finance/Restructuring practice since 2010 and joined FTI in 2002.