Retail

Branded food supplier ConAgra’s acquisition of private label rival Ralcorp promises to create an interesting new dynamic when it comes to trading partner relationships.

Earlier this week, the companies announced they had reached an agreement valued at $6.8 billion whereby ConAgra will acquire Ralcorp for $90 a share to create one of the nation’s largest food companies with annual sales of roughly $18 billion.

Tianjin, China -- Global architecture and interior design firm, tvsdesign, celebrates the opening of Galaxy Mall, the retail portion of Tianjin's new Cultural Center District, which opened in October 2012. With 360,000 square meters of total building area, Galaxy Mall ranks among the top five largest retail complexes in China, and is more than 80% leased.

CINCINNATI — Good news for Macy’s, which has closed the cash tender offer by its wholly owned subsidiary, Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc., to purchase up to $700 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding debt securities.

“Through this transaction and our recent debt issuance, we have successfully improved our debt maturity profile and decreased our ongoing interest expense,” said Karen M. Hoguet, Macy’s, Inc. CFO.

Merrimack, N.H. -- Brookstone announced the launch of a new tablet-optimized website.

"In response to the growing trend of tablet shopping, Brookstone saw the importance of developing a premier tailored shopping experience for our customers to more easily navigate the site, find all the holiday gifts on their list and easily checkout," said Stephen Bebis, president and CEO of Brookstone. "We researched shopping behaviors, and incorporated the most successful retail mobile applications to enhance the experience."

Specialty retailer Express said its same store sales for the third quarter ended October 27, declined 5% and profits declined to $17.4 million, or 20 cents a share, compared to $32.7 million, or 37 cents a share.

Total sales for the period declined 4% to $468.5 million and gross margins contracted to 32.3% of sales from 36.2% of sales the prior year. Expenses increased to 25.1% of sales form 23.6% of sales.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp. on Wednesday said it will pay a special dividend worth some $3.0 billion to investors, sending cash to its shareholders ahead of a likely increase in the dividend tax. The chain also posted monthly same-store sales that beat analysts' expectations.

“Our strong balance sheet and favorable access to the credit markets allow us to provide shareholders with this dividend,” Costco CFO Richard Galanti said in a statement.

Reston, Va. -- Spending on Cyber Monday reached $1.46 billion, up 17% versus a year ago, making it the heaviest online spending day in history, according to comScore.

Retail e-commerce spending for the first 26 days of the November-December 2012 holiday season rose to $16.4 billion, up 16% versus the corresponding days last year.

Tucson, Ariz. -- Oakbrook, Ill.-based Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust announced the acquisition of The Corner, an 80,155-sq.-ft. shopping center in Tucson, Ariz., for approximately $29.5 million.

Tenants at The Corner include Total Wine, Nordstrom Rack and Five Guys Burgers and Fries, along with Sleep Number by Select Comfort, Sprint and Paradise Bakery.