FINANCE

Bankrupt fashion retailer BCBG Max Azria Group has reached an agreement on a comprehensive restructuring.   It includes the possible sale of nearly all the retailer's assets to Marquee Brands LLC and Global Brands Group Holding Limited. The completion of the transactions with Marquee and Global Brands are expected to immediately follow approval by the United States Bankruptcy Court. The expected closing date is no later than July 31, 2017.   

It appears that L'Oreal has settled on a buyer for The Body Shop.   The French cosmetics giant is in exclusive talks to sell its Body Shop division to Brazilian make-up company Natura Cosmeticos, Bloomberg reported. The reported price: $1.1 billion,   Natura is the largest Brazilian cosmetics company.   The transaction would be subject to regulatory approval and would be expected to close later this year.    

A new report suggests that Walgreens Boots Alliance’s acquisition of Rite Aid may be in jeopardy.    The Capital Forum reported that the Federal Trade Commission's staff are prepared to recommend that the agency file a lawsuit to stop the deal, according to Reuters. A source close to the deal told Reuters that FTC staff has asked companies and groups concerned about the deal for depositions and affidavits that could be used in a lawsuit aimed at stopping it.  

Ascena Retail Group, operators of such brands as Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant and Dressbarn, is planning to close hundreds of stores. The news came on the heels of a brutal third quarter.   The company reported a net loss of $1.031 billion, or $5.29 per diluted share in the third quarter ended April 29, compared to net income of $15 million last year, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.   

Hudson's Bay Co., whose banners include Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor, has lowered the ax.  

One of the nation's most successful department store retailers may remove itself from the scrutiny and pressure of Wall Street.    

Greg Portell, lead partner in the retail practice of A.T. Kearney, a global strategy and management consulting firm, answers a few questions regarding the news that Nordstrom may go private.    What does this move mean for Nordstrom — how might it play out?  

The turnaround at extreme-value retailer 99 Cents Only Stores appears to be taking hold.   The retailer reported that net sales for its first quarter, ended April 28, increased 6.7% to $547.5 million, from $512.9 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales increased 6.9%, with higher customer traffic of 4.2%, and a higher average ticket of 2.5%.