Mergers & Acquisitions

San Francisco -- JLL has tapped an industry veteran from one of the world’s largest retail chains to drive its global business strategy and cross-border expansion.

The company named David Zoba as chairman of its Global Retail Leasing Board, effective immediately. Zoba brings 30 years of experience to the firm and most recently served as senior VP of global real estate and store development at Gap Inc., which he joined in 2009.

Neiman Marcus plans to grow sales by investing in technology, working with new designers and expanding its footprint, according to IPO paperwork the retailer filed with the SEC.

New York -- The nation’s premier luxury department store company wants to return to the public arena.

Neiman Marcus Group has filed plans for an initial public offering — for the second time in two years — of $100 million (the sum is a placeholder that doesn’t necessarily reflect the final offering amount.) The company said it would trade under the ticker symbol NMG.

Cleveland – Stark Enterprises announced the addition of Stark Capital Group. The new division will provide comprehensive real estate capital markets solutions with an emphasis on equity and debt placements, principal acquisitions and asset management. 

Nico Bolzan will serve as executive director of SCG. Bolzan will lead efforts to raise both equity and debt financing through a variety of private and institutional capital sources on a national level.  

Boot Barn says its integration of the Sheplers chain helped the company report is 23rd consecutive increase in quarterly same store sales.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer is on the move in Wisconsin.  

Continuing an estimated $750 million investment in Wisconsin, Meijer on Tuesday opened two more superstores in the state. The retailer announced plans to open two to three new Wisconsin locations per year through 2019.

Meijer, which now operates 222 stores, entered Wisconsin just six weeks ago, with two stores. The retailer traditionally focused its growth on five states: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens Boots Alliance has named Kimberly R. Scardino as its new senior VP, global controller and chief accounting officer. Scardino joins Walgreens Boots Alliance from American Express Co., where she was senior VP, business advisory controller.

Greenwich, Conn. -- Starwood Retail Partners, the retail operating platform formed by Starwood Capital Group, announced that it has named Angela Aman CFO, effective Aug. 10. Aman brings more than a decade of experience as a financial executive to her newly created position, including having spent the last four years as CFO and treasurer of Retail Properties of America, Inc.

Aman will be responsible for strategic planning, implementing and management of all accounting and financial functions, as well as investor relations and partner reporting.