Mergers & Acquisitions

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. on Thursday reported a bigger-than-expected loss in its second quarter – the retailer’s ninth consecutive quarterly loss – amid weak sales. The retailer also announced it may close additional stores on top of the 130 closures already underway this year.

Sears also said Thursday the company plans to explore options with lenders to achieve more long-term capital-structure flexibility in the coming six to 12 months.

Atlanta -- Rent-to-own chain Aaron's, Inc. has named its current CFO Gilbert L. Danielson to the position of interim chief executive officer, following the retirement of current CEO Ronald W. Allen on Aug. 31.

Danielson will also retain his CFO responsibilities during the interim period and will not be a candidate for the permanent CEO role, said the company. A formal search, led by Spencer Stuart, is underway and includes a review of both internal and external candidates.
 

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- The Sembler Company will introduce the newest additions to its portfolio as the company participates in the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Florida conference Aug. 24-26 in Kissimmee.

As part of a strategic shift back to traditional grocery-anchored shopping centers, Sembler recently inked deals on two Florida centers: North Port Center, Heron Creek, a grocery-anchored neighborhood center in North Port, Sarasota County, Florida; and The Shoppes at Trinity Lakes in Pasco County, Florida.

Seattle -- Outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI has promoted Eric Artz, CFO, the additional role COO), and Susan Viscon, VP merchandising, to senior VP merchandising.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place, Inc. reported a loss of $10.7 million in the quarter ended Aug. 2, compared to a loss of $23.6 million in the year-ago period. Sales edged up to $384.6 million, from $382.4 million for second quarter 2013.

Same-store sales increased 0.8%.

New York -- Dollar Tree Inc. reported that net income in the second quarter dipped 2.6% to $121.5 million, from $124.7 million a year earlier, amid higher freight costs and investments in higher-value products.

Revenue rose 9.5% to $2.03 billion, and same-store sales increased 4.5%, beating Wall Street estimates of a 2.5% rise. It was the chain’s26th consecutive quarter of positive comparable store sales growth.

San Antonio -- CST Brands announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the convenience store assets, franchisor rights and associated trademarks of Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.

Nice N Easy operates 77 corporate and franchise stores in Central New York. The company operations include thirty-three company operated stores along with forty-four franchise locations.

Philadelphia — Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust has entered into an agreement to sell an anchor pad underlying a Bon-Ton store in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, contiguous to Westgate Mall.

The transaction is expected to close prior to the end of 2014.