Mergers & Acquisitions

Irving, Texas -- Michaels Cos. has raised $472 million in an initial public offering. The arts-and-crafts retailer priced 27.8 million shares at $17 each, which was at the low end of its predicted range. It plans to use the IPO's proceeds to pay down its debt.

The chain, which operates stores under its namesake banner and Aaron Brothers, could raise up to $543 million if underwriters use their option to buy additional shares. 

The stock was expected to start trading Friday on the Nasdaq under the symbol "MIK."

Los Angeles -- Drybar, the leading blowdry-only salon concept, has received a $20 million investment led by SPK Capital and existing investor, Castanea Partners.
 

MWV’s board of directors chose James Nevels as a new member, the packaging company announced Thursday.
 
Nevels, the 62-year-old chairman of the Philadelphia-based investment advisory firm The Swarthmore Group and president of the Hershey Company’s board of directors, will work on MWV’s development and auditing committees. He joins the board as the company works to increase its margin goals and expand its packaging endeavors.
 

Paterson, N.J. — Planet Fitness will open an 18,000-sq.-ft. facility at 100 Hamilton Plaza in Paterson, New Jersey, the facility will occupy the first-floor retail space in the 175,000-sq.-ft. downtown office tower.

Cushman & Wakefield’s East Rutherford, N.J., office represented the building’s owner, Mountain Development Corp. in the transaction. Ripco Real Estate represented the Planet Fitness franchisee, who operates several other regional locations.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS announced that it has appointed Todd E. Vogensen as senior VP, CFO, replacing Pamela Knous, who has left the organization to pursue other interests.

Prior to his appointment as CFO, Vogensen had been the Chico’s senior VP finance. He has served Chico's in numerous roles over the past five years. Previously, Vogensen held multiple positions of increasing scope and responsibility with Michaels Stores.

New York -- The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Wal-Mart violated Quebec labor law by closing its store in Jonquiere, Quebec, in 2005.
 
In a 5-2 decision announced on Friday, the court ruled that the 190 employees who were terminated when the store was closed are entitled to compensation, according to CBC Montreal.  
 

New York -- China's Alibaba Group Holdings plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg reported. In a filing on Thursday, the company revealed it will use the ticket "BABA."

Alibaba filed for its IPO in May. The online giant is looking to sell about a 12% stake, the report said. Experts have said it could be the largest U.S. IPO ever.

New York -- Creative Realities and Wireless Ronin Technologies, a leading marketing technologies solutions provider, announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement.