Mergers & Acquisitions

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. has named Jim Wiggett, who has been serving as interim CEO since June 2014, as permanent CEO and member of the board of directors. Wiggett is a 40-year retail and business veteran.  

Phoenix – PetSmart Inc. has agreed to be purchased for about $8.7 billion by a consortium of buyers led by private equity firm B.C. Partners and also including pension fund manager La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and private equity firm StepStone. The total figure represents an acquisition price of $83 per share, a 39% premium over PetSmart’s closing price on July 2, 2014.  

After weeks of exploring “strategic alternatives,” PetSmart has agreed to be acquired for about $8.7 billion by a consortium led by London-based BC Partners.

"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with BC Partners, which maximizes value for all of our shareholders and best positions PetSmart to continue to meet the needs of pet parents," said Gregory Josefowicz, chairman of PetSmart. "This transaction represents the successful conclusion of our extensive review of strategic alternatives." 

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fitch Ratings believes that the massive cost cutting plan outlined today by RadioShack is likely not sufficient to forestall a restructuring of the company's debt in the near term. Fitch currently rates RadioShack Corporation's (RadioShack) Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) 'C'. A full list of ratings is shown below.  

Cleveland – The Sherwin-Williams Co. is predicting healthy sales growth for this year and next year. For the full year 2014, the company expects consolidated net sales to increase approximately 9% compared to full year 2013.  

Former Procter & Gamble group president Jorge Mesquita has been hired by Johnson & Johnson as worldwide chairman of its consumer companies. 

Mesquita, 53, will serve on the corporation’s management committee, lead the consumer group operating committee and report to Sandi Peterson, group worldwide chairman.

A $43.5 million fine has been levied against 10 Wall Street firms for doing what they were asked by Toys “R” Us as the retailer prepared an ill-fated public stock offering in 2010.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) levied the $43.5 million fine against the 10 investment banks – but not Toys “R” Us – for allowing their equity research analysts to solicit investment banking business and offer favorable research coverage in connection with the retailer’s planned IPO in 2010.

On the heels of announcing a new partnership with Lowe's and HGTV, Sherwin-Williams Co. is predicting healthy sales growth for this year and next year. For the full year 2014, the company expects consolidated net sales to increase approximately 9% compared with full year 2013.

New York - Stonehenge Partners announced that Wells Fargo has officially opened its 1,375-sq.-ft. space at 120 Ninth Avenue. Wells Fargo is the first tenant to take occupancy at the retail property, which offers almost an entire block of frontage on 9th Avenue between 17th and 18th streets.  

New York - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reportedly discovered discrepancies in accounting practices its China business was using that made performance look better than it really was. According to Bloomberg, shifty accounting practices included making unauthorized bulk sales to other retailers and even booking non-existent sales.