Mergers & Acquisitions

New York – The owners of New York City’s famed J&R Music and Computer World, an independent music and electronics store in Lower Manhattan since 1971, have closed the store to redevelop its site.

“J&R will close its doors so we can rebuild this location into what we hope will be an unprecedented retail concept and social mecca,” owners Joe and Rachelle Friedman said in a statement on the company’s website. “The buildings that J&R occupies have to be totally reimagined and developed.”

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. is bringing women’s footwear brand Yellow Box into the retail arena. DSW’s Affiliated Business Group (ABG) division has entered into an agreement with Yellow Box Corp. to operate stores under the Yellow Box banner. The company plans to open Yellow Box stores throughout the United States, starting off with three to five store openings in 2014.

New York -- Increasing tax burdens (76%) are the top concern of retail CEOs, according to PwC’s 17th Annual Global CEO Survey. Worries about the tax burden were followed by the government response to the fiscal deficit and debt burden (74%), over-regulation (69%), the high and volatile prices of raw materials (68%), and exchange rate volatility (64%).

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM Corp. announced it will acquire digital marketing technology provider Silverpop. The Atlanta-based Silverpop allows marketers to target highly personalized offers and promotions. IBM said the technology will enhance its enterprise marketing capabilities.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The newest jewel in Amazon’s content crown is leading digital comics provider comiXology.

Amazon reached an agreement to acquire comiXology for an undisclosed sum. The company was founded in 2007 offers an extensive library of digital comic book content from more than 75 top publishers as well as top independent creators. According to Amazon, comiXology revolutionized the digital comics reading experience with its immersive Guided View technology.

It looks like the battle between eBay and investor Carl Icahn is over — for the time being. Icahn is withdrawing his proposal to separate the company’s PayPal business as well as his two nominees to the company’s board of directors.

eBay reportedly reached an agreement with Icahn, ending the proxy contest before the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders.

Camp Hill, Pa. — In the wake of acquiring Houston-based RediClinic, Rite Aid on Thursday reported revenues of $6.6 billion for the fourth quarter ended March 1, resulting from a 2.2% lift primarily attributed to an increase in pharmacy same-store sales. For the full year, Rite Aid reported $25.5 billion in revenues, up 0.5%.