Strategy

From start to finish, many of this year’s biggest retail stories involved mergers and acquisitions as the industry continues to remake itself in a digital age. Here’s a look back at 10 stories that caused big buzz — and were the most viewed  by readers on Chainstoreage.com.

A very tech-savvy retailer retail is expanding its fledgling physical footprint with an eye toward national expansion.    b8ta, which lets people test out products from a variety of tech companies, including many small start-up, has opened a store at University Village, Seattle, along with one at Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, Calif. Both locations were designed by Gensler, and feature a sleek, modern design.    

Walgreens Boots Alliance’s acquisition of Rite Aid took a big step forward with announcement of the divestiture of 865 Rite Aid stores to Fred’s Pharmacy for $950 million.   

J.C. Penney is testing a category more typically associated with Home Depot or Lowe’s than a department store: heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.    According to a report by Dallas Morning News, the test is being done in partnership with Trane, an HVAC company, and includes a display of the HVAC service near the major appliances at a few locations.

Private-equity firm Warburg Pincus has agreed to acquire Gabriel Brothers (Gabe's) from Alvarez & Marsal Capital.   The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

After nearly 50 years of ownership, the Carl M. Freeman Companies has sold the Cabin John Shopping Center and Mall in Potomac, Maryland, to Edens for $165 million.   Freeman parted with a property that it built in 1968 in order to amass capital for other projects, according to CEO Michelle Freeman, who assumed the helm of the company after her husband, Josh, perished in a helicopter crash.  

Looking to make digital transactions safer, two credit card network powerhouses are joining forces to tokenize shoppers’ payment card credentials.   

Finish Line missed analyst estimates for third quarter earnings, an issue the company blames on declines in its apparel and accessories categories.   The athletic specialty retailer reported revenue of $371.1 million for the 13 weeks ended Nov. 26, 2016. While this is an increase of 3.0% over the prior year period, it falls short of the consensus estimate of $411.61 million.