Mergers & Acquisitions

Oceanside, Calif. — Doerken Properties Inc. has acquired Flags on Mission Shopping Center in Oceanside, Calif., for $12.6 million. El Super grocery and dd’s Discounts anchor the 107,600-sq.-ft. property.

The Carlsbad, Calif., office of Lee & Associates brokered the transaction representing both the buyer and the seller, Mission Avenue Investors.

New York -- Saddled with high levels of debt and sluggish sales, Brookstone Inc. is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection, with a plan already in place to be bought by another specialty retailer, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Los Angeles — Caruso Affiliated has appointed Judy Johnson to the newly created post of chief marketing and communications officer. In her new role, Johnson will support the company’s expanding portfolio of projects throughout California and oversee marketing, public relations, strategic alliances and entertainment initiatives.

Hamilton, Bermuda – Net income at Signet Jewelers grew 2% to $175.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $171.8 million in the fourth quarter of the preceding fiscal year. Net sales increased 3% to $1.56 billion from $1.51 billion and same-store sales increased 4%.

During the full fiscal year, net income grew 2% to $368 million from $359.9 million and net sales improved 3% to $4.21 billion from $3.98 billion. Same-store sales rose 4%.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Tractor Supply Company is opening its 1,300th store, as the company continues to grow toward its stated opportunity of 2,100 domestic store locations. The 1,300th store, located in Bullhead City, Ariz., will celebrate its grand opening on March 29, 2014.

Dallas — Dickey’s Barbecue will open seven new locations this week — in Kent, Wash.; Richland, Miss.; Vienna, Va.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Clinton Township, Mich.; Yonkers, N.Y.; and Dallas.

The fast-growing 391-unit restaurant chain has added more than 200 stores in the past two years. There are more than 150 stores in development.

New York -- Facebook has seen the future — through 3D goggles. The social media giant has reached an agreement to acquire hot virtual reality technology start-up Oculus VR for $2 billion. The deal is comprised of $400 million in cash and 23.1 million shares of Facebook stock.  

New York -- Merchant Warehouse, a leading provider of payment technologies, has acquired Opticard, a provider of gift and loyalty programs.

Through this acquisition, Merchant Warehouse will offer deeper mobile and digital engagement opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses through an expanded suite of gift, loyalty and prepaid programs.