Department Store

Los Angeles -- Samuels & Co. Inc. said it has recently completed five transactions for Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest location-based entertainment company in the world which develops, owns and operates outdoor theme parks and indoor attractions.  

York, Pa. -- Bon-Ton Stores said Thursday that its first-quarter loss grew as it booked hefty debt-related charges and sales declined almost 2%. Management blamed unseasonably cold and wet weather for weak sales of seasonal apparel, which forced the retailer to take markdowns and other adjustments.

The company reported a loss of $36 million for the three months ended April 30, compared with a loss of $23.5 million in the same period last year.

Cleveland, Ohio --Forest City Enterprises, Inc., announced the creation of a new leadership position to support the company’s growing presence in the Texas real estate market.  

Effective immediately, Brian Ratner has been promoted to president of Forest City Texas and will lead the company’s Texas operations from its regional office in Dallas.    

OBERLIN, Ohio — Walmart and Target are the top go-to retail stores for college students, according to a new study.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group Inc. announced that its Premium Outlets division has reached an agreement with the Gila River Indian Community's Wild Horse Pass Development Authority to develop Phoenix Premium Outlets, an upscale outlet shopping center serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale areas. 

New York City -- Discount retailer Syms Corp. was urged by a shareholder to stem losses in its clothing business and sell some of the real estate holdings accumulated by late founder Sy Syms.

According to a Friday report by Bloomberg, Capstone Equities Capital Management LP sent a letter to Syms directors and CEO Marcy Syms on Thursday advocating asset sales, share buybacks and other steps to “enhance shareholder value.” 

New York City -- Liberty Media Corp. has offered to buy Barnes & Noble in a deal valued at about $1 billion, which represents a 20% premium over the bookseller’s market value Thursday. Barnes & Noble said Thursday that the cash offer, which the Wall Street Journal called a “stunner,” is worth $17 a share.

The companies have yet to sign an agreement.

New York -- Bombay Company said Kroger Co. has introduced select Bombay furniture, accessories and gifts at 180 of its stores, Furniture Today reported. 

The merchandise mix includes “mirrors, vases and novelty accents, as well as furniture pieces such as chairs, upholstered pieces, accent tables and iconic Bombay coffee tables," Bombay said in a release.