News

Private equity fund acquires specialty retailer
West Marine Inc. is going private. The retailer of boating gear, apparel and other waterlife-related products has agreed to be acquired by New York-based Monomoy Capital Partners for $12.97 per share. The deal has a total equity value of $338 million. Following the close of the deal, West Marine will continue to be operated independently by the company's management team.
Gander Mountain to survive in scaled back fashion — and under new banner
Camping World Holdings has given an update on its plans for Gander Mountain. Camping World, which acquired the assets of Gander Mountain and boating division Overton's in a bankruptcy auction in May, said it plans to operate 57 locations — assuming details can be worked out with landlords and final acceptable leases agreed to. Liquidation sales started in May at all 160 Gander stores.

Barneys New York honored for innovative lighting

Specialty luxury retailer Barneys New York has been recognized for the lighting design at its new downtown flagship in New York City.
Specialty retailer steps up unified commerce efforts

Vitamin World’s commerce and supply chain operations are undergoing a digital transformation.
Williams Sonoma to go big with new concept in Seattle

Williams Sonoma will open the largest version yet of its new dual-concept format, which combines its traditional kitchen and food products with home furnishings.
Nike in pilot with online giant

Nike is opening up shop on Amazon. The sportswear giant has entered into a pilot program with the online giant to sell a limited (at least initially) selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories on the online site. Nike products have long been available on Amazon, but only through unauthorized third party sellers. This will be the first time that Nike has sold directly on the Amazon.
Midwest home furnishings retailer expanding

The RoomPlace growing its store portfolio. The family-owned company has opened a new showroom and warehouse distribution center in Indianapolis. The location is part of a strategic initiative to expand the furniture retailer's footprint in the city. The new outpost also marks The RoomPlace's 25th store, with locations across Illinois and Indiana. It is one of the company's largest, at over 70,000 sq. ft. features a 16,000-sq.-ft. clearance center.
Another grocer launches same-day delivery

Regional supermarket operator Shnucks is the latest grocer to offer customers same-day delivery.
Five takeaways about the new Walgreens-Rite Aid deal

The drug store industry awoke Thursday morning to arguably the biggest story of the year — the news that Walgreens and Rite Aid had agreed to scrap their original merger agreement one more time, this time in favor of a much smaller, seemingly more manageable deal to purchase 2,186 Rite Aid stores for $5.18 billion in cash. In the first several hours following the announcement of the deal, Chain Store Age sister publication, Drug Store News identified five important takeaways from the blockbuster agreement.
Study: Social media key to July 4th sales

Plenty of consumers will be shopping for deals over Independence Day— and they plan to use social media to find them. Forty-three percent of consumers plan to shop for deals on Independence Day, according to a survey by ChargeItSpot. When asked what resource they will use to hunt down deals and sales, the majority of respondents (37%) said social media, followed by online deal sites (17%) and mobile coupon apps (17%) – meaning in-store shoppers are finding their deals online.