Mergers & Acquisitions

Product lifecyle and reverse logistics leader Genco has appointed Jeremy Witte as chief operating officer for its wholly owned subsidiary, Genco Marketplace.

Greenwich, Conn. – Merger and acquisition (M&A) dealflow in the retail mobile payment sector has risen 500% between 2009 and 2013, while investment dealflow has grown 300%. According to data from Mooreland Partners, a mid-market investment bank specializing in technology deals, there were 232 M&A deals in this sector from 2009-213, and 259 from 1999-2013.

Dallas – Zale Corp. reported net earnings of $9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, an impressive 80% jump from $5 million a year earlier. This soaring growth came even as revenues slipped 3% to $431 million, from $443 million.

A lower cost of sales and higher pretax earnings and operating earnings helped boost Zale’s net earnings. Zale cited the net decrease of 78 stores compared to the prior year and a decline in the Canadian exchange rate, partially offset by same-store sales growth of 1.9%, as driving down revenues.

Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, has appointed Michael P. Muldowney as CFO. Muldowney also serve as a member of the executive committee.
 
Prior to joining Gordon Brothers Group, Muldowney was the founder and CEO of Foxford Capital, a strategic, financial advisory and investment management firm. Prior to this role, he served as interim CEO, EVP and CFO of global education leader, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Robert Price, former SVP and CMO for CVS, has been named president of Edible Arrangements International.

The operator of more than 1,100 stores worldwide is looking to Price to help significantly grow the brand's global presence.

Wallingford, Conn. - Robert Price, former senior VP and chief marketing officer for CVS/pharmacy, has been named president of Edible Arrangements LLC. At CVS/pharmacy, Price led all marketing, advertising, sales promotion, e-commerce, customer insights, store design and customer loyalty programs.

Prior to CVS/pharmacy, Price's held positions with Wawa Food Markets; H-E-B Grocery Stores; Imasco Limited (the former parent company of Hardees and Roy Rogers Restaurants); and The Monitor Company, a strategy consulting firm.

Office Depot has integrated its Office Depot and OfficeMax brands by launching on Sunday a single, combined insert offering savings on products and services being offered at both retail banners.

The move marks the first advertisement where Office Depot and OfficeMax customers will see the two national brands together as one.

Boca Raton, Fla. - Office Depot and OfficeMax are now offering a single, combined insert in Sunday newspapers representing products and services being offered at both brands’ retail stores. The move marks the first advertisement where Office Depot and OfficeMax customers will see the two national brands together as one.

The insert also features tips on additional ways customers can shop via website, mobile app or via phone.