Mergers & Acquisitions

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group is launching a new business, Simon Venture Group, that will invest in retail innovation, focusing on technology opportunities that enhance the shopping experience.

"We believe we have only scratched the surface on applying technology to the retail environment in innovative, interesting ways," said Mikael Thygesen, chief marketing officer of Simon Property Group.

New York — Muss Development LLC is acquiring a 5,000-sq.-ft. retail condominium located at the base of the Touraine Condominium at 865 Lexington Avenue on New York City’s Upper East Side. Immediately upon closing, Muss will enter into a long-term lease with Le Pain Quotidien for its 31st location in Manhattan.

Known for its organic bread and cakes, Le Pain Quotidien will take the ground-floor retail component.

In the sales transaction, Jones Lang LaSalle represented both Muss Development and the seller, Lex 65.

Supervalu reduced its organizational structure from three divisions to two and name Kevin Kemp president of the east region and Bill Chew president of the west region.

The company did not indicate what roles Kemp and Chew played in the organization previously, but did note that the east region will be headquartered in Mechanicsville, VA and the west region will be based in Hopkins, MN near the company’s Eden Prairie headquarters.

Fremont, Calif. -- The Men's Wearhouse has extended the expiration date of its tender offer for all outstanding common shares of Jos. A. Bank, in accordance with terms of the March 11 merger agreement. The offer and withdrawal rights are now scheduled to expire on April 9, 2014, unless further extended.

New York – Merger talks between J. Crew and Japanese retailer Fast Retailing Co. have reportedly ended, at least for the time being. According to the Wall Street Journal, Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo chain, left the discussions not long after they were made public by the media in late February 2014.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts has signed an agreement with OLH Group to begin developing Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the Brasilia and Goias regions of Brazil. The agreement calls for the development of 65 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the Brasilia and Goias areas during the next several years.

With technology continuing to reshape the store experience, global retail real estate leader Simon Property Group is upping its digital game with the creation of a new venture capital group.

The company, which owns or has an interest in 325 retail properties encompassing 243 million square feet, has created Simon Ventures Group for the purpose of investing in retail innovation focused on opportunities that enhance the shopping experience.

Hearthside Food Solutions sold its 20 manufacturing plants and 150 brands to Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs and the private equity firm Vestar Capital Partners.