Home Depot

DALLAS and ATLANTA — The Home Depot bolstered its home improvement selection with the acquisition of U.S. Home Systems, a manufacturer of kitchen, bathroom and other remodeling products, as well as storage organization systems for closets and garages. Currently, USHS serves as the exclusive provider of kitchen and bath refacing products and services as well as closet and garage organizational systems to The Home Depot.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot said Tuesday it will acquire kitchen and bath vendor U.S. Home Systems in a deal worth about $93 million.

U.S. Home Systems manufactures and installs remodeling and organization products, as well as cabinet-refacing and countertop products, exclusively through Home Depot. The acquisition is part of Home Depot’s strategy to increase its home service business.

The deal is expected to close by the end 2012.

Roswell, Ga. -- PGA Tour Superstore announced plans to open a location in Paramus, N.J. The store, scheduled to open later this year, is PGA Tour’s 15th location.

The PGA superstores are owned and operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, whose controlling owner and chairman is Arthur M. Blank, retired Home Depot co-founder and owner of the Atlanta Falcons.

Retailers scaled back on their promotional efforts in June this year when compared to last year—there were decreases in the number of circulars released by the majority of retailers, as well as a decrease in  the number of pages per circular.

Elgin, Ill. – Oak Brook, Ill.- based Inland Real Estate Acquisitions has announced the acquisition of South Elgin Commons, a 128,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Elgin, Ill., for approximately $25 million.

The property was 100% leased at closing and is anchored by Ross Dress for Less, Toys “R” Us and LA Fitness.

Home Depot has announced the expansion of its major appliance brands by adding Whirlpool, Electrolux and Frigidaire in a limited number of stores and on Homedepot.com.

The appliances will be available through the company's Depot Direct delivery network and available to be ordered in all U.S. stores. Depot Direct includes more than 3,000 appliances delivered and installed to the customer's home within one to five days of purchase. Appliance purchases through Depot Direct include free delivery and haul-away.

The past few months have seen Walmart leverage its 50th anniversary with a wide range of tactics, but one of the company’s most visible actions may occur this weekend.

Faucet manufacturer Moen Inc. promoted Ji Kim to director of global design, effective immediately. In her new role, Kim will be responsible for providing design leadership and vision for the global design team at Moen. She will set and drive strategy for product design in several countries for categories including faucets, showerheads, accessories and bath safety items.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Blackstone's flagship real estate fund and DDR Corp. announced Thursday hat a joint venture formed by the two entities has closed on the acquisition of a portfolio of 46 shopping centers previously owned by EPN Group.

The joint venture has assumed approximately $635 million of senior non-recourse debt and has originated an additional $320 million non-recourse loan facility, which has a five-year term.

Unilever president of customer development, Joe Cavaliere, is the newest addition to the board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

The trade group’s board held its semi-annual meeting earlier this week and elected Cavaliere and re-elected PetSmart president and CEO Bob Moran and IBM’s general manager for the retail industry Karen Lowe.