Trading Partners

A potential acquisition could give Amazon some leverage as it expands its brick-and-mortar presence.   BJ’s Wholesale Club is putting itself up for sale, and Amazon has expressed modest internal interest in the chain, according to The New York Post.  BJ’s, which was once a public company, was bought for $2.8 billion by private equity firms Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners in 2011.   

In “Democracy in America,” political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, “there is hardly a political question in the United States which does not sooner or later turn into a judicial one.” Nearly 200 years later, this statement rings true — maybe now, more than ever.   

St. Petersburg-based Sembler Co. and Atlanta-based Berkley Development have formed a new venture to explore development opportunities in the Southeast.   “This partnership will allow us to work with an exceptional industry professional to better pursue other types of development and redevelopment – small power centers, urban redevelopment projects, even retail elements of primarily residential developments, as possible examples,” said Sembler CEO Ron Wheeler.  

With healthcare reform appearing to be placed on the back burner – at least for now – attention in Washington, D.C. is turning to corporate tax reform. Corporate tax reform is much sticker issue and many of the political dynamics that doomed the healthcare effort seem to be falling into place in much the same way in this conversation. And that could be a real problem for retail operators.  

Stage Stores is officially adding Gordmans stores to its portfolio.   Stage Stores closed on its previously announced acquisition of selected assets of Gordmans Stores, the Omaha, Nebraska-based department store chain that filed for Chapter 11 on March 13.   

Coach Inc. has tapped a 26-year fashion veteran to lead the company as its expands its brand portfolio.   Joshua Schulman has been named president and CEO of the Coach brand, effective June 5. In this newly created role, Schulman will be responsible for all aspects of the brand globally, reporting directly to Victor Luis, CEO of Coach, Inc. This new leadership structure follows the 2015 acquisition of Stuart Weitzman, and is an important step in Coach, Inc.’s evolution as a customer-focused, multi-brand organization, the retailer said.

Walgreens is still confident in its ability to close the Rite Aid transaction, but will force the issue if it comes to that, Stefano Pessina, executive vice chairman and CEO Walgreens Boots Alliance, told analysts Wednesday morning.  

Conn’s has found a new third-party lease-to-own partner.   The retailer said it has formed a partnership with Progressive Leasing, a subsidiary of Aaron’s, to provide lease-to-own payment solutions to customers who do not qualify for Conn’s proprietary credit offering.   Conn’s has entered into an exclusive three-year agreement with Progressive Leasing to offer Conn’s customers Progressive’s lease-to-own program.