Helen of Troy in late November announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire nail care brand Olive & June for $240 million. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Olive & June is expected to operate as a stand-alone business, and founder and CEO Sarah Gibson Tuttle will remain with the company.

Olive & June joins other brands within Helen of Troy’s portfolio, which include Hydro Flask, OXO, Drybar, Osprey and Vicks.

DTC mattress brand Casper Sleep in October became a subsidiary of Carpenter Co., a manufacturer of polyurethane foams.

“Carpenter will assist Casper on a comprehensive growth and profitability strategy, as well as the appropriate future channels to market,” Carpenter said in an announcement.

Casper in early 2020 entered the public markets after filing for an initial public offering. But about two years later, private equity firm Durational Capital Management acquired the brand, taking Casper private once more.

Tractor Supply on Oct. 24 said it has inked a deal to acquire online pet pharmacy Allivet, a longtime partner. The acquisition will expand the retailer’s total addressable market by $15 billion and is expected to close in Q1.

The retailer has sought growth beyond the country’s most rural communities and has long catered to not just farm animals but also household pets. Already, pet owners account for about 75% of its loyalty membership. In addition to its 2,270 namesake stores, the company runs 205 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores.

Havenly Brands — which has a portfolio that includes The Citizenry, Interior Define, St. Frank and The Inside — acquired DTC furniture brand Burrow for an undisclosed amount.

Burrow, which launched in 2017, became known for its flat-pack, modular sofas and chairs.

“Burrow’s innovative approach to design, in-home furniture delivery and functionality helped reinvent the way people furnish their homes, making it a natural fit for the Havenly family,” Lee Mayer, CEO of Havenly Brands, said in a statement. “Burrow fills a unique gap in the market and within our portfolio.

Beyond Inc. on Oct. 15 announced an investment of $40 million in The Container Store through a strategic partnership.

The deal is contingent on shareholder approval and will also require The Container Store to refinance or amend its borrowing terms with lenders. The Container Store plans to issue 40,000 shares of a new stock series at $17.25 to Beyond, which would give that company a 40% stake.

In a joint announcement, Beyond, whose brand portfolio includes Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock and Zulily, said it will offer a global loyalty program through The Container Store’s physical and online stores and integrate The Container Store’s custom spaces product lines across its e-commerce banners.  

The companies said The Container Store will join Beyond’s data platform and focus on improving conversion and traffic while reducing customer acquisition and retention costs. The Container Store will also showcase spaces for Bed Bath & Beyond’s kitchen, bath and bedroom assortment

The Aaron’s Company in October completed a previously announced deal to take the company private. IQVentures Holdings acquired the company for an enterprise value of $504 million. 

Aaron’s financial performance ahead of the acquisition was soft. The company’s full-year revenue for 2023 fell nearly 5% to $2.14 billion and for the most recent quarter ending June 30, Aaron’s reported revenues of $503 million, down 5.1% from $530 million the prior year.

Founded in 1955, Aaron’s offers leasing and purchasing of appliances, electronics, furniture and other home goods. In addition to its namesake banner, the company’s portfolio includes BrandsMart U.S.A., BrandsMart Leasing and Woodhaven, a furniture manufacturing division. At the time of the deal, Aaron’s operated 1,210 owned and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada.

Investment firm Go Global on Oct. 1 acquired upscale maternity brand Hatch, which will be run by another brand in its portfolio, premium children’s apparel retailer Janie and Jack, for an undisclosed amount. The two brands will be aligned to some extent in stores and online.

Hatch founder Ariane Goldman had previously operated Hatch in North America alongside rival maternity apparel retailers Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod and Destination Maternity, under a portfolio known as Hatch Collective. Those lines are owned by Marquee Brands and are not part of Go Global’s deal. At the time of the acquisition, Go Global and Janie and Jack were still working on what role, if any, Goldman would have.

LVMH sold the company that owns the Off-White brand to brand management company Bluestar Alliance. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. LVMH acquired a majority stake in Off-White in 2021.

Bluestar Alliance owns, manages and markets a portfolio of brands including Hurley, Nanette Lepore and Limited Too.

In a deal with 65 Equity Partners that gives the private equity firm a “significant minority” stake, founder Kendra Scott will retain a majority stake in her eponymous accessories brand Kendra Scott Design, Inc. The new investment, for an undisclosed amount, will go toward expanding the brand into new categories and new geographies, including internationally.

HPS Investment Partners and Belzberg & Co co-invested with 65 Equity Partners in the transaction, which “fully redeems the preferred stock investments held by Berkshire Partners and Norwest Venture Partners,” the companies said.

Outdoor gear retailer Backcountry in September was acquired by CSC Generation Enterprise. Terms of the deal, which include Backcountry’s brand portfolio of MotoSport, Competitive Cyclist and Steep and Cheap, were not disclosed.

Backcountry CEO Melanie Cox said the deal will enable the retailer to expand its market presence. In addition to an online store, Backcountry had nine physical retail locations at the time of the deal. Backcountry will continue operating under its own brand name. The deal expands CSC's portfolio to more than 10 brands.

Oct. 1, 2024

F9 Investments completed its acquisition of LL Flooring Holdings on Oct. 1. LL Flooring said it was continuing to work with Hilco on store closing sales at the remaining locations that were not part of the deal with F9 Investments. 

“This marks the start of a new chapter for LL Flooring and we are working closely with F9 Investments to ensure a seamless transition for our customers,” said CEO Charles Tyson. 

Sept. 6, 2024

Lumber Liquidators, which filed for Chapter 11 protection in bankruptcy court in Delaware in August, announced in September it would remain a going concern, having reached an agreement with F9 Investments.

Under the deal, the private equity firm will acquire 219 LL Flooring locations — about half the stores the retailer operated at the time of its filing — along with intellectual property and other assets. A distribution center in Sandston, Virginia is also part of the deal.

U.K. retailer Mountain Warehouse on Sept. 2 said it had inked a deal to acquire Eastern Mountain Sports, which filed Chapter 11 in June. Mountain Warehouse said it would pay $5 million for the New England retailer’s brand, website and seven profitable stores – its stalking horse bid ahead of a bankruptcy auction – and another $5 million for other assets.

It’s a reprieve for the 57-year-old outdoor gear retailer, which will continue to operate under the Eastern Mountain Sports name, with its existing buying team remaining in the U.S., per an emailed press release from Mountain Warehouse. The deal saves more than 100 jobs related to the EMS business, the company said.

Steve Madden sold the assets of sneaker brand Greats to Unified Commerce Group for an undisclosed sum. Through the deal, UCG will assume operational responsibility of the brand, while Steve Madden (through a subsidiary) will become one of UCG’s shareholders.

Greats marked the third brand within UCG’s portfolio at the time, alongside Spiritual Gangster and Frank and Oak.

Global apparel company Lolë Brands acquired footwear brand Sanuk from Deckers on Aug. 15. 

Deckers said in July that it had reached a deal to divest Sanuk but the company didn’t provide additional information. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Katie Pruitt, who was previously Sanuk’s brand director at Deckers, will continue to lead the brand at Lolë as vice president and general manager, according to a press release. 

Both brands, Lolë said, “share a commitment to responsibly produced, innovative and stylish designs.” With Sanuk under new ownership, the brand will receive a renewed investment “to build on its core strengths, such as unique, consumer-centric products and marketing.” Lolë also  acquired athleisure brand Époque Évolution last year.

Under Armour announced its acquisition of Unless Collective on Aug. 6, with the deal expected to close later that week. Unless Collective, which bills itself as a zero-plastic regenerative fashion brand, was founded by 26-year Adidas veteran Eric Liedtke in 2020.

Liedtke is joining Under Armour as part of the acquisition and will continue to lead Unless, as well as taking on a position as Under Armour’s executive vice president of brand strategy.

EssilorLuxottica acquired the Supreme brand from VF Corp. for $1.5 billion in a deal that is expected to close by the end of 2024. VF originally bought Supreme in 2020 for around $2.1 billion. 

EssilorLuxottica is the owner of Sunglass Hut, Ray-Ban and Oakley. It manufactures licensed eyewear for Diesel, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Coach and Burberry.

A consortium of investors led by Auréa Group, whose portfolio is centered on DTC beauty brands, will take over The Body Shop following a competitive bidding process that was part of the retailer’s U.K. administration, akin to Chapter 11 in the U.S.

Terms were not disclosed but the deal is expected to close shortly. The Body Shop, founded in the 1970s with an eco-friendly focus, has struggled for years under various owners. This year, the retailer filed for bankruptcy in the U.S., where it is liquidating, and Canada, where it remains open for business.

WSG Brands announced in July that it acquired fashion and lifestyle brand Von Dutch for an undisclosed amount. Under its new ownership, the brand will be led by Jack Cheika and Marc Benitez, WSG’s CEO and COO. 

“WSG will ensure that each Von Dutch piece — from classic trucker hats to its spirited, rebellious ready-to-wear — will stay true to the authenticity and heritage of Von Dutch as a symbol of dynamic self-expression and bold individuality,” the brand management firm said in a statement.

HBC, owner of luxury America department store Saks Fifth Avenue, off-price retailer Saks Off 5th and Canadian department store Hudson’s Bay, on July 4 said it reached an agreement to acquire rival U.S. luxury retail company Neiman Marcus Group for $2.65 billion.

Neiman Marcus Group runs upscale department stores Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman; the company earlier this year ended a partnership with luxury e-commerce company Farfetch.

Once the transaction closes, HBC plans to house Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman into an entity dubbed “Saks Global” apart from the Canadian department store business.

Mexican-based retailer Gonher will acquire most of Sam Ash Music’s assets for $15.2 million. Court documents show Gonher will acquire Sam Ash’s merchandise — excluding its store closing sale assets — its assumed leases, intellectual property elements, trademarks, internet domain names, social media accounts, marketing materials and customer data. 

Sam Ash filed for Chapter 11 in May after 100 years in business and previously said it plans to close all of its retail stores. At that time, Sam Ash operated 42 stores in 16 states. 

FullBeauty Brands on June 18 picked up its fourth acquisition in just over a year, this time adding legacy plus retailer Avenue. The company has signed a definitive agreement to buy Avenue Stores for an undisclosed amount from Australian retail company City Chic Collective.

City Chic itself in 2020 acquired Avenue’s digital business after the retailer’s 2019 Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which entailed closing all stores. Avenue and its brands will be added to FullBeauty’s digital mall, which also includes plus and inclusive apparel retailers Catherines, Dia, Eloquii and intimates brand Cuup.

Apparel retailer Express was acquired by Phoenix Retail, a joint venture involving WHP Global and mall owners Simon Property Group, Brookfield Properties and Centennial. The bankruptcy court approved the move on June 14. Phoenix Retail will pay about $174 million for Express Inc., which includes the Bonobos banner. The deal is expected to keep over 450 physical stores open and nearly 7,000 people employed.

Business casual-focused retailer Express filed for Chapter 11 in April.

Sept. 30, 2024

HanesBrands on Sept. 30 completed the sale of the intellectual property and certain operating assets of Champion to Authentic Brands Group, according to a company press release. With the sale, HanesBrands reiterated it expects to pay down around $1 billion in debt. 

“Today marks a major milestone on our journey to strengthen and simplify our business and is the culmination of a significant team effort to position HanesBrands on the optimal path for the future,” HanesBrands CEO Steve Bratspies said in a statement.

June 5, 2024

Authentic Brands Group signed a deal to acquire Champion from HanesBrands in a deal valued at $1.2 billion. Authentic stated it will convert Champion into a licensed model. Part of Champion’s design, production and distribution in North America was previously licensed to G-III Apparel Group. 

HanesBrands expects to earn around $900 million in net proceeds from the deal, which it will use to pay down debt.

Consortium Brand Partners announced it acquired Outdoor Voices for an undisclosed amount in June. The firm, which bought Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James brand in 2023 said it plans to open new Outdoor Voices stores and expand the brand into adjacent product categories, such as swimwear, outerwear and fitness equipment. International expansion is also on the horizon.

Outdoor Voices abruptly shuttered its 15-store footprint in March. Asked whether or not founder Tyler Haney will be involved in the company, and who will be leading the brand post-acquisition, Consortium Brand Partner’s co-founder and Managing Partner Cory Baker said Katie Siano will remain in her position as Outdoor Voices president.

Dollar Tree Inc. acquired intellectual property rights in North America for 99 Cents Only, along with designation rights for 170 stores in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. 

After over 40 years of operation, California-based 99 Cents Only filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with plans to close all 371 of its stores. Dollar Tree didn’t immediately say what it plans to do with 99 Cents Only’s IP. However, the retailer did confirm it planned to convert the 99 Cents Only stores it bought to the Dollar Tree banner.

Private equity company 2.0 Ventures took a majority stake in DTC apparel brand Feat Clothing. 

Through the deal, Feat Clothing co-founder and CEO Taylor Offer exited his leadership role, while remaining a board member.

While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Feat’s current team of seven employees, product offerings and distribution channels will remain unchanged.

Investors in Retail Ecommerce Ventures have taken over the REV portfolio, which includes Bodybuilding.com, Pier 1.com, DressBarn.com, Mentorbox.com, and owns the intellectual property of Modell’s Sporting Goods, Franklin Mint, SteinMart, Linens-N-Things and Ralph & Russo. The new parent company, Omni, closed the deal during the first quarter of the year for an undisclosed amount, per a press release.

The takeover doesn’t include RadioShack, which as of last year is majority-owned by Unicomer Group. REV co-founders Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr are not involved in Omni.

REV had specialized in taking over the IP of distressed retailers and operating them online. Amid rumors of REV’s financial struggles, some observers had expected a bankruptcy filing. Instead, Omni is in discussions to potentially take over other brands as well, many of which are online only.

July 25, 2024

JD Sports completed its acquisition of Hibbett Inc. on July 25. Hibbett is no longer a separate publicly traded company. In an announcement, Hibbett said Mike Longo will stay on as CEO and Jared Briskin will become chief operating officer. The company will keep its corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama.

April 23, 2024

U.K.-based JD Sports announced its plans to buy Alabama-based athletic retailer Hibbett Inc. for $1.1 billion in April. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.

JD Sports CEO Régis Schultz described Hibbett’s store footprint as “highly complementary” and said the deal will provide a stronger platform for JD’s expansion in the U.S. 

JD Sports had 3,313 stores globally as of March 2. Its portfolio includes more than 20 brands, including Finish Line and Shoe Palace, which it previously acquired. Hibbett also owns City Gear and Sports Additions.

West Lane Capital Partners has acquired Mented Cosmetics for an undisclosed amount. Through the deal, Mented gains access to West Lane’s resources, which will allow the beauty brand to grow its business and continue its distribution.

West Lane will help the beauty brand launch new products as well. At the time of the acquisition, a message on Mented’s home page indicated the brand would relaunch in the summer.

Billy Reid in April announced it would acquire Knot Standard’s DTC business, including its website and eight stores in major cities like Chicago and San Francisco. As part of the deal, the stores will be rebranded, giving Billy Reid 20 locations nationwide. Knot Standard’s sales associates and management team will join the fashion retailer as well, and Knot Standard will be a minority shareholder in the combined business.

Knot Standard’s AI made-to-measure software will remain a separate business, and the tech will be used in all of Billy Reid’s locations. The deal allows Billy Reid to relaunch its made-to-measure business, which was discontinued during the pandemic. The fashion retailer hopes to increase brand awareness through the deal, noting that the brands share a similar price point, customer, and retail and real estate footprint.

Designer Brands announced on June 4 that it acquired 28 Rubino footwear stores in Canada during the first quarter. The move is expected to expand Designer Brands’ market share, the company said.

Additionally, the acquisition gives Designer Brands a presence for the first time in Quebec, CEO Doug Howe said during a recent earnings call. Howe said Rubino stores offer similar atmospheres and assortments to stores operated by Designer Brands. 

Howe said the company will continue to operate the stores under the Rubino banner, believing there's an opportunity to “add value by offering our own brands in their stores,” he said on the call.

Inclusive fashion company FullBeauty Brands in April acquired online size-inclusive marketplace Dia & Co for an undisclosed sum. 

Alongside the deal, Dia co-founder Lydia Gilbert and other key Dia marketplace employees will join FullBeauty Brands, according to a company press release. Gilbert will manage Dia’s styling division. 

“We are excited to welcome Dia to the FullBeauty Brands family, which we believe will further our leading position in size-inclusive fashion and as the one-stop destination for great fitting, quality, on-trend, size-inclusive apparel,” CEO Jim Fogarty said in a statement. “As we look to grow and scale, Dia will vastly increase brand offerings in our digital mall, and we are excited to bring the unique personal styling experience to all of our customers.”

Just two years after acquiring the brand, L’Occitane Group in early April announced it sold a controlling majority stake in Grown Alchemist to André Hoffmann for 28 million euros (about $30.2 million at the time). Hoffmann was L’Occitane Group’s former vice chairman and CEO and currently sits on the beauty conglomerate’s board.

Through the deal, Grown Alchemist gains “increased business agility,” giving it room to accelerate its international growth in markets like North America and China, and focus on large-scale partnerships.

June 18, 2024

The Home Depot completed its acquisition of SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion. SRS serves professional roofing, landscaping and pool contractors. 

Home Depot said the deal enables it to grow its business with professional customers. 

“SRS is an excellent fit for The Home Depot – it's both complementary and additive to our growth,” Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said in a statement. He added that SRS’ ability to build leadership positions in its specialty trade verticals reflects the team’s strong leadership and execution. Home Depot said the acquisition will increase the company’s total addressable market to about $1 trillion, a $50 billion increase.

March 28, 2024

The Home Depot in March said it plans to acquire building materials supplier SRS Distribution for about $18 billion. Acquiring SRS will enable Home Depot to boost its business with professional customers, the retailer said. Under the terms of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, a Home Depot subsidiary will acquire SRS and that company’s leadership team will remain in place post-merger.

Texas-based SRS generated about $10 billion in revenue in 2023. At the time of the announcement, it had a sales force of over 2,500 people, 760 branches in 47 states operating under local brands and job site delivery capabilities supported by a fleet of 4,000 trucks.

Overstock and Bed Bath & Beyond parent company, Beyond Inc., acquired Zulily’s intellectual property and other brand assets for $4.5 million. Assets include Zulily’s website and domain names, trademarks, a customer database, social media accounts and website software. The deal excludes all of Zulily’s liabilities, liens and debts. 

Zulily ceased operations at the end of 2023 after laying off hundreds of employees. 

Ashley Home closed on an agreement to acquire Resident Home, the owner of mattress and bedding brands Nectar, DreamCloud, Awara and Siena in March.

As part of the deal, Resident Home co-founders and co-CEOs Eric Hutchinson and Ran Reske will remain in their roles. A focus of the deal is to expand Resident Home’s global footprint and home furnishings assortment.

Menswear brand Rowing Blazers sold a majority stake of its business to investment firm Burch Creative Capital. Tom Vellios, co-founder of Five Below, and Jason Epstein, partner at private equity firm Stonecourt Capital, are co-investing with BCC, whose other holdings include Tory Burch and Staud. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Rowing Blazers founder Jack Carlson will remain with the company as creative director, and the deal will allow the brand to hire new positions, develop its womenswear line and grow its retail footprint.

Walmart in February reached a deal to buy smart TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion. In a Feb. 20 announcement, the retailer said the acquisition will give Walmart access to Vizio’s SmartCast operating system. That move will create new opportunities to connect with customers through media experiences and accelerate Walmart Connect, the company’s existing retail media network.

Walmart said its Connect closed-loop omnichannel media business grew 30% in 2023. Vizio’s platform has over 500 direct advertiser relationships and its Platform+ business, which consists primarily of its advertising business, accounts for most of Vizio’s gross profit, according to a press release.

April 3, 2024

Guess Inc. and WHP Global on April 3 announced that the companies had completed the acquisition of Rag & Bone.

Guess contributed $57.1 million to the purchase, along with contributions from WHP Global, according to a company press release. The retailer entered into an agreement with the lenders of its existing $150 million asset-based revolving credit facility to boost its borrowing capacity by $50 million, to a total of $200 million.

Feb. 16, 2024

Guess Inc. and WHP Global agreed to acquire Rag & Bone. Guess will pay $56.5 million to obtain the company’s operating assets, while Guess and WHP will both own Rag and Bone’s intellectual property through a joint venture.

Guess and the joint venture will enter a licensing agreement. It will give Guess the exclusive right to use Rag & Bone’s IP to manufacture its products globally and sell products in specified territories in exchange for Guess’ payment of a royalty fee.

Rag and Bone will operate as an independent fashion brand under the Guess portfolio.

Mithaq Capital, an investment firm based in Saudi Arabia, bought up a 54% stake in struggling children’s apparel retailer The Children’s Place, the companies disclosed Feb. 15.  The firm swiftly followed through on its offer to shore up the specialty retailer’s finances, pledging $78.6 million in interest-free, unsecured and subordinated term loans. 

This all came with a board shakeup: Four directors resigned, replaced by Mithaq nominees, one of whom will take over as chair after a transition period. The Children’s Place said it will use some of its new funds to address overdue accounts with vendors, some of which had begun to withhold goods and services.

Shoe Carnival announced it acquired Rogan’s Shoes for $45 million. 

Following the integration of Rogan’s Shoes into the company’s Shoe Station banner, which should take about 18 months, the combined banner sales are expected to pass $200 million by fiscal 2025. The deal will take the retailer’s store count to 429, keeping Shoe Carnival on track to achieve its target of operating over 500 stores by 2028, according to a company announcement. 

ContextLogic, which does business as Wish, on Feb. 12 said it had agreed to sell the online marketplace for about $173 million in cash to Singapore-based Qoo10, which operates localized marketplaces in Asia. The agreement was forged after “a thorough review of strategic alternatives with the assistance of outside financial and legal advisors,” according to a statement from ContextLogic Board Chairman Tanzeen Syed. 

ContextLogic previously revealed that it was exploring strategic alternatives, amid ongoing revenue declines and losses. Wish has been up against major rivals, including Temu, which have been growing faster and marketing to a similar audience, analysts have said. In 2023, the company resorted to layoffs of more than 250 employees, affecting 41% of its U.S. workforce and 26% of its international workforce.

Farfetch in December 2023 announced that it would be acquired by Coupang in a $500 million deal. The company said it would be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and stated in a press release that holders of its Class A and B ordinary shares and convertible notes would “not recover any of their outstanding investments,” per a press release. Farfetch’s previous agreement with Compagnie Financière Richemont and Symphony Global to acquire a 47.5% stake in the Yoox Net-a-Porter platform was terminated. 

The deal closed on Jan. 31, 2024.

Wolverine World Wide sold its Sperry brand to Authentic and the Aldo Group. Authentic paid $70 million for the acquisition, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Aldo Group will become Sperry’s North American operating partner for wholesale, e-commerce and store operations. 

The deal will bring approximately $130 million to Wolverine in its first quarter. Some of those funds will go toward paying down some of Wolverine’s debt.

Feb. 1, 2024

After initially proposing an IPO price between $16 and $18 per share, Amer Sports in February sold 105 million shares for $13 a share, raising about $1.37 billion in its public debut. The sale put its valuation at more than $6 billion, but lower than the $8.7 billion valuation it initially targeted. The company intends to use the net proceeds to repay all of its outstanding borrowing on its existing shareholder loans, as well as any additional proceeds to repay a portion of the borrowings on its revolving facility.

Jan. 4, 2024

Amer Sports, the company behind Wilson, Arc’teryx and other sports and apparel brands, filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Jan. 4.

The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the IPO haven’t been determined. The company plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock symbol “AS.”

Amer Sports said in the SEC filing that effective implementation of a DTC strategy is key to the company’s continued growth. Amer Sports earned $3.5 billion in revenue in 2022, up from $2.4 billion in 2020.

Feb. 5, 2024

Shiseido announced in February that it closed on its deal to acquire DDG Skincare Holdings.

“Today’s milestone represents an exciting step toward our goal of becoming a leading personal beauty wellness company,” Ron Gee, Shiseido Americas president, CEO and global mergers and acquisitions leader for Shiseido Americas, said in a statement. “Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s leadership in clean, innovative and science-based formulations and its loyal consumer following make it the perfect addition to the Shiseido Americas portfolio, and we look forward to working with the team with a focus on accelerating the brand’s growth plans.”

Dec. 22, 2023

Dr. Dennis Gross skin care owner DDG Skincare Holdings is set to be acquired by Shiseido Americas Corporation, a subsidiary of Shiseido. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Shiseido said the acquisition will complement its existing portfolio of prestige brands, including Clé de Peau Beauté.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Unilever entered into an agreement to acquire hair care brand K18 for an undisclosed amount. K18 was founded in 2020.

The CPG giant said the acquisition helps it bolster its Unilever Prestige portfolio and increase its premium offerings. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.

Natura & Co. reached an agreement to sell The Body Shop to private equity group Aurelius. The beauty company will be sold for 207 million pounds (around $257 million at the time), with an earn-out of 90 million pounds. 

“With the sale of The Body Shop, we are taking another important step in Natura & Co.’s new development cycle to unlock significant value,” Fabio Barbosa, chief executive officer of Natura & Co., said in a statement. “Refocused, deleveraged and leaner, Natura & Co. will now be able to fully concentrate on its core relationship selling expertise in Latin America while also continuing the optimization of Avon International’s footprint and investing in initiatives and innovations that positively impact people and the planet.” 

Natura & Co.'s board authorized its management to explore strategic alternatives for The Body Shop earlier in 2023 amid declining sales.

Two furniture rental startups were acquired in November after Vesta inked a deal to acquire Fernish and Feather for an undisclosed amount.

Luxury interior design and staging firm Vesta said the deal represented “a significant milestone” for the company and allowed it to expand its reach to the mass market.

Vesta, Fernish and Feather will operate under the banner “Showroom,” serving customers in New York, Southern California, South Florida, the Bay Area and Seattle. It will also operate online nationally.

After upping its stake in the company, Amorepacific acquired beauty brand CosRx in October.

Amorepacific said it would acquire the 288,000 remaining shares from CosRx’s largest shareholder and related parties for 755.1 billion won (about $567.3 million at the time). The deal follows Amorepacific’s acquisition of 38.4% of CosRx’s shares in 2021. Amorepacific is now expected to own 93.2% of the company’s shares.

Amorepacific aims to accelerate its global expansion through collaborations with CosRx. Amorepacific’s portfolio includes other brands like Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Innisfree and Mamonde.

Unilever entered into an agreement to sell Dollar Shave Club to private equity firm Nexus Capital Management. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and it is expected to be finalized by the end of 2023.

Through the transaction, Unilever will keep 35% minority shareholding control in the men’s grooming and personal care brand. Unilever acquired the subscription-based shaving company in 2016 in what was reportedly a roughly $1 billion cash deal. Though Dollar Shave Club started off as a mainly DTC brand, it now sells at major retailers including Walmart and Target.

Children’s entertainment company Spin Master Corp. entered into an agreement to acquire toy brand Melissa & Doug for $950 million. 

The deal is expected to close during the first quarter of 2024 and Spin Master – which operates the brands Paw Patrol, Bakugan and more – is supporting it with about $450 million in balance sheet cash and $500 million in debt financing. Melissa & Doug generated $489 million in revenue during fiscal 2022 and could receive up to $150 million in extra contingent earnout consideration if certain financial targets are met for 2024 and 2025.

Instant Brands, which makes popular kitchen brands Corelle, Pyrex and Instant Pot, was sold to Centre Lane Partners. The private equity firm will acquire the company in two separate transactions, both of which are subject to regulatory approval and closing conditions in the U.S. and Canada. 

Instant Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2023 and began to solicit offers to sell the business. 

“We believe our Company’s sale to Centre Lane Partners represents the best path forward for our customers, retail partners, suppliers and employees,” Instant Brands CEO Ben Gadbois  said in a statement.

Jan. 5, 2024
Sycamore on Jan. 5 announced the deal had closed, and that Chico’s brands would join KnitWell Group, a holding company formed last year. The unit already includes Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots and provides services to plus-size specialist Lane Bryant; with Chico’s, the group does some $6 billion in annual sales.

Sept. 28, 2023

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which in 2019 failed despite many attempts to acquire Chico’s, on Sept. 28 finally won the women’s apparel retailer over with a $1 billion deal. 

Chico’s, which in addition to its namesake brand runs White House Black Market and intimates label Soma, sells through 1,258 U.S. stores, 58 franchise locations in Mexico, two domestic airport franchises and various websites. Sycamore’s portfolio includes several retail companies and brands, including Belk, Staples, Talbots and The Limited.

Molly Langenstein, Chico’s FAS CEO, hailed what she called Sycamore’s “outstanding record in the retail industry in partnering with management teams to help businesses reach even greater levels of success.”

Grocery delivery company Instacart in September made its Nasdaq debut, trading under the ticker symbol “CART.” The company filed plans to go public one month earlier.

The company priced its initial public offering at $30 per share, raising $660 million. Instacart’s share price of $30 valued the company at $9.9 billion on a fully diluted basis. That’s a fraction of the nearly $40 billion valuation it had in early 2021 at the height of the pandemic.

Footwear brand Birkenstock filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering in September.

The German-based company listed on the New York Stock Exchange using the ticker symbol BIRK. Its filings show that it generated a revenue of 1.24 billion euros (about $1.33 billion at the time of the filing) and a net profit of 187.1 million euros during fiscal year 2022. 

Following the completion of its IPO, Birkenstock will be a controlled company with private equity firm L Catterton owning a majority of the combined voting power of its outstanding ordinary shares.

Reese Witherspoon’s fashion and lifestyle brand Draper James sold a 70% majority stake to private equity firm Consortium Brand Partners.

The actor and brand founder will stay on as a partner and board member for Draper James. The brand will continue to sell through its existing direct-to-consumer channels while also planning to grow globally through premium department and specialty stores, as well as expand its RSVP collection with Kohl’s.

“We are excited to join forces with the team at Consortium, who understand our vision as a company and the importance of our community,” Witherspoon said in a statement. “They are the perfect partners for Draper James as we continue to grow and build this brand and I’m looking forward to this next phase in our journey.”

Wolverine World Wide in August announced the sale of its leathers business to New Balance for about $6 million in total proceeds.

Wolverine World Wide called New Balance a long-time customer of the brand. All of Wolverine’s U.S. tannery contracts would be assigned to New Balance, the company said. Wolverine World Wide said it was continuing to “explore alternatives” for its non-U.S. leathers business.

At the same time, the company announced it was selling its Hush Puppies intellectual property in China, Hong Kong and Macau.

“These transactions are the latest actions in our ongoing effort to reshape our portfolio and target our most meaningful opportunities,” Mike Stornant, executive vice president and CFO of Wolverine World Wide, said in a statement. “We continue to streamline our organization and become more efficient, so that we can direct greater resources into our growth brands, pay down debt, and enhance long-term shareholder value.”

E.l.f. Beauty entered into an agreement to acquire skin care brand Naturium for $355 million.

Subject to closing conditions, the deal is expected to be finalized by Sept. 30. E.l.f. Beauty – which operates a portfolio including E.l.f. Cosmetics, E.l.f. Skin, Well People and Keys Soulcare – said the deal is expected to double its skin care presence to about 18% of retail sales. Naturium expects to generate about $90 million in net sales this year.

“With our complementary missions and cultures, I know E.l.f. Beauty will be the ideal partner as we expand our reach, and continue to make high performance skin care accessible for all,” Susan Yara, who joined as Naturium’s founder in 2020, said in a statement. 

E-commerce retailer Boxed agreed to be acquired by MSG Distributors, Inc. in an all-cash deal, though the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Boxed – which sells bulk pantry items at wholesale prices – filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April. MSG said it would continue to service Boxed customers, vendors and brands.

MSG will offer established Boxed customers expeditious delivery services, introduce new brands and bring back established household brands for Boxed’s vendors.

Ariela & Associates International acquired direct-to-consumer intimates brand Parade for an undisclosed amount.

Intimates specialist group Ariela & Associates International lists Smart&Sexy, Curvy Couture and Fruit of the Loom bras as part of its portfolio. Parade will act as a division of the company, utilizing Ariela & Associates International’s “sourcing, design and forecasting capabilities to scale in the U.S. and globally.”

Parade was founded by CEO Cami Téllez and launched in 2019. 

In a move widely seen as fortifying competition potential against European luxury powerhouses, Tapestry agreed to buy rival fashion conglomerate Capri for $8.5 billion. The deal joins Tapestry-owned Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman with Capri’s Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors.

All told, those brands operate in more than 75 countries, and last year generated more than $12 billion in sales and almost $2 billion in adjusted operating profit. Once the deal closes, the new entity will be the fourth largest luxury house in the world, with combined share of around 5.1% of the luxury goods market; in the Americas, it will be the second largest luxury player behind LVMH, with a combined share of 6%, according to GlobalData.

After filing for bankruptcy in August 2023, Amyris sold a number of its brands. In early December, the company auctioned off Pipette, Biossance, 4U and MenoLabs amid its Chapter 11 proceedings. 

Biossance was set to be acquired by THG Beauty, the owner of Cult Beauty and Dermstore, for $20 million; Ayala Cove Bidco was the backup bidder. Pipette was set to be acquired by HRB Brands for $1.75 million; AA Investments Limited was the backup bidder for $1.73 million. MenoLabs was sold to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories for $3 million. 4U, the hair care brand founded by celebrity Tia Mowry, was set to be acquired by Scent Theory Products and other bidders for $600,000.

Amyris in mid-December said it successfully auctioned off its JVN hair care brand, created by celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness, for $1.25 million. The brand was sold to Windsong Global, which has also invested in brands like Lilah B, Design Within Reach, Lime Crime and Algenist.

The company also auctioned off Rose, Inc., which was founded by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, to AA Investments for $2.5 million. Stripes, which was founded by Naomi Watts, was auctioned off to Sakana for $500,000.

Japanese beauty company Kao Corporation and its subsidiaries in Australia and the U.S. agreed to acquire Bondi Sands for an undisclosed amount.

The acquisition of the Australian sun product brand will allow Kao to focus more on the skin protection category and will allow Bondi Sands to expand its global reach. Bondi Sands joins Kao’s consumer care portfolio which also houses John Frieda, Jergens, Curél, Bioré and more.

New York City-based Authentic Brands Group has expanded its retail brand holdings with the court-approved acquisition of Rockport. The sale pulls the venerable shoe company out of bankruptcy following a June Chapter 11 filing, its second in five years.The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Rockport said in court documents that it generated over $203 million in revenue in 2022, but it owed its top five vendors or suppliers nearly $47 million. Authentic reported its portfolio will generate more than $29 billion in global retail sales after the Rockport deal and another acquisition of sports apparel brand Boardriders close.

Apollo Global Management has acquired a minority stake in PetSmart. With pet ownership on the rise in the U.S. and an increasing focus on animal wellness, the retailer is positioned for growth, according to the private equity firm.

Apollo Global Management didn’t disclose the terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in Q4. BC Partners, a British private equity firm that acquired PetSmart for about $8.7 billion in 2015, will remain the company’s majority shareholder.

PetSmart has over 1,660 stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, and describes itself as the leading omnichannel pet retailer. It also has more than 200 cat and dog boarding facilities. PetSmart moved further into the companion animal healthcare sector with the launch of an online pharmacy in 2021. PetSmart also offers veterinary services, grooming and training.

David’s Bridal was in search of a buyer even before its bankruptcy filing in April, and executives warned it was prepared to liquidate if it didn’t succeed. One of the formal apparel retailer’s longtime lenders, Cion Investment Corp., stepped in. On July 24, the companies announced they closed a deal for Cion to acquire “substantially all of [David's Bridal’s] assets.”

Cion has invested $20 million into the business to fund growth and has assumed certain bankruptcy-related liabilities, per their release. Bank of America will also continue to provide financing through a $50 million revolving credit facility and a $20 million term loan facility.

Thanks to the deal, David’s Bridal will continue operations at up to 195 stores, preserving 7,000 jobs across the U.S.

“Our long experience with the operations and management of David’s Bridal and our position as a secured lender enabled us to facilitate a consensual bankruptcy exit transaction that we believe provides strong value to the company’s employees, vendors, landlords, business partners and customers as well as to our shareholders,” Cion co-CEO Mark Gatto said in a statement.

FullBeauty Brands acquired direct-to-consumer intimates brand Cuup, though terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cuup will be added to FullBeauty’s digital mall by the fall of 2023, which also houses other brands such as Eloquii, June+Vie and Swimsuits for All. The acquisition follows news in April that FullBeauty would acquire apparel brand Eloquii from Walmart.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cuup and the Cuup team to the FullBeauty Brands family, as we continue to grow as the leading destination for great fitting, quality, on-trend, size-inclusive apparel,” Jim Fogarty, FullBeauty Brands CEO, said in a statement at the time of the acquisition. “As an innovative, high-growth brand seeking to disrupt the intimates category, Cuup is an exciting addition to the FullBeauty Brands portfolio.”

Consumer technology company Oddity – which owns makeup brand Il Makiage and skin care brand SpoiledChild – started trading publicly on the Nasdaq Global Market in July at an increased share price of $35. 

Oddity on July 10 initially expected its share price to be between $27 and $30 for a maximum raise of nearly $316 million. The company then raised its expected pricing on July 17 to be between $32 and $34, raising its valuation to up to $1.92 billion from its initial $1.7 billion.

Chief Executive Officer Oran Holtzman will hold about 76.9% of the voting power of its outstanding share capital.

About two years after buying Elo7, Etsy sold the Brazil-based marketplace to another Brazilian corporation for an undisclosed amount. Etsy acquired privately-held Elo7 for $217 million in cash in June 2021. 

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, CEO Josh Silverman said despite the Elo7 team’s hard work, “we have not seen the performance we had anticipated when we made this acquisition two years ago, in part due to the macroeconomic environment.”

The sale of Elo7 leaves the company with three marketplace brands — its namesake Etsy, which in November said it reached a record 92 million active buyers; Reverb, which offers musical instruments; and Depop, which focuses on used and vintage apparel.

Digital brands platform Foundry acquired men’s personal care brand Blu Atlas for an undisclosed eight-figure sum.

The purchase marks Foundry’s third acquisition in the men’s personal care space, with Blu Atlas selling men’s skin care, hair care and fragrance. 

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to take Blu Atlas to its next stage of growth,” Foundry CEO Hendre Ackermann said in a statement at the time of acquisition. “We believe Blu Atlas has the potential to reach $100 million in sales over the coming years, by increasing distribution, building greater awareness, and continuing to offer a premium and differentiated product assortment.”

Dream on Me has gained BuyBuy Baby’s trademark and digital assets following a federal judge’s OK. New Jersey-based Dream on Me paid $15.5 million for a variety of assets including digital properties, mobile platforms and business and advertising data, according to court documents. 

But no one stepped up to bid on BuyBuy Baby’s physical stores, which are on track to liquidate and close. BuyBuy Baby was part of parent company Bed Bath & Beyond, which filed for Chapter 11 in April.

Overstock.com, the online-only retailer, bought selected items of Bed Bath & Beyond’s intellectual property following the retailer’s April bankruptcy. Overstock also plans to rebrand itself to Bed Bath & Beyond and retire its former name. 

The IP purchase includes customer and vendor data, mobile apps and private label trademarks. But it does not include any stores, warehouses or product inventory. Jonathan Johnson, CEO of the company formerly known as Overstock, said in a call with investors that the Bed Bath & Beyond brand and name still have significant consumer value.

Shoppers World appears to have swooped in just in time for Forman Mills. The companies announced June 22 that the regional department store acquired Forman Mills for an undisclosed amount.

The warehouse-style apparel discounter had recently laid off hundreds of employees and warned the state of Pennsylvania that it faced bankruptcy if it couldn’t find a buyer. Shoppers World CEO Sam Dushey said the company will continue operating all Forman Mills locations.

The two retailers share some overlap in geography; overall, the deal will double Shoppers World’s store count and expand its reach. Shoppers World runs 40 stores in 13 states, while Forman Mills runs 43 warehouse-style discount stores in nine states.

Curio Brands – a fragrance company that owns Capri Blue and Thymes – acquired direct-to-consumer candle company Otherland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Otherland’s co-founders, Abigail Cook Stone and Sayyid Markar, will stay on at Curio. The candle brand will also remain headquartered in New York City, with Stone overseeing brand strategy and execution while Markar supports Otherland’s operations and supply chain.

DTC cookware brand Great Jones has been acquired by conglomerate Meyer Corporation for an undisclosed sum. Meyer is the maker of brands like KitchenAid, Farberware and Rachael Ray.

Great Jones’ CEO and co-founder Sierra Tishgart will remain the brand’s chief executive while also taking on an executive creative director role at Meyer. The brand will also remain headquartered in New York City following the deal.

The acquisition will help fuel international retail development and product expansion by tapping into Meyer’s operational support. Meyer has served as a supplier and minority investor in Great Jones’ previous fundraising.

Brand management company Authentic Brands Group on June 2 added British boot maker Hunter, known for its rubber Wellington style, to its portfolio. The 160-year-old brand also sells men’s, women’s and children’s waterproof and weatherproof footwear, outerwear, bags and accessories.

Terms were not disclosed. U.K. licensing and distribution management company and ABG partner Batra Group will design and develop Hunter footwear, apparel and accessories, and manage the brand’s e-commerce, wholesale distribution and licensing in the U.K. and Europe. Longtime ABG partner Marc Fisher Footwear will take on those responsibilities in the U.S.

Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ikea’s franchisee Ingka Group, acquired Made4net for an undisclosed sum, according to a company announcement. With Made4net’s technology, Ikea can speed up its deliveries, accurately fulfill orders and better manage its supply chain. 

Ingka Group will deploy Made4net’s tech across its stores, while Made4net will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary from its New Jersey headquarters and six international offices.

Regent, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, acquired Zulily from Qurate Retail Group, the parent company of QVC and HSN. Qurate didn’t disclose the transaction’s full terms but it did announce that as a part of the deal, Qurate repaid Zulily’s $80 million outstanding debt.

Qurate acquired Zulily for $2.4 billion in 2015. But the unit hadn’t performed well in recent years, and it regularly saw the largest losses in revenue within the Qurate brand portfolio. 

In May, Qurate CEO David Rawlinson said Zulily’s sale was part of a long-term strategy.

“We are in the midst of a turnaround at Qurate Retail,” Rawlinson said. “This divestiture will allow our management team to better focus on our core video commerce assets, QVC and HSN, and the Cornerstone Brands, while preserving liquidity to further strengthen our balance sheet.”

FemTec Health, a women’s health company, sold Birchbox’s assets to e-commerce and subscription company Retention Brands for an undisclosed amount. 

Birchbox – the beauty subscription box brand – was acquired by FemTec Health in October 2021 for about $45 million. Birchbox co-founder Katia Beauchamp has since moved on to become CEO of Victoria Beckham Beauty.

In the months leading up to FemTec's sale of the business, Birchbox stopped fulfilling customer orders and left some vendors without payment. Along with the news that retention brands acquired the beauty company’s assets, FemTec Health announced creditors could submit claims for money owed.

Solo Brands in May announced it acquired TerraFlame — which sells fire pits, fire bowls and an indoor portable s’mores roaster — for an undisclosed amount.

TerraFlame’s team will become a part of Solo Brands and its CEO, Lenny Vainberg, will become TerraFlame’s general manager.

“We hope to leverage our direct to consumer and wholesale expertise to support TerraFlame’s growth while also leaning into TerraFlame’s shared passion for product innovation and incredible products to elevate the Solo Brands customer experience,” Solo Brands CEO John Merris said in a statement.

The acquisition helps bolster Solo Brands’ portfolio of companies, which include Solo Stove, Chubbies, Oru Kayak and Isle.

Franchise Group, the parent company of brands that include The Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus, announced in May it was going private in a deal valued at $2.6 billion. The company will be acquired by Brian Kahn, Franchise Group’s CEO, and other members of the company’s senior management team, alongside financial partners including B. Riley Financial and Irradiant Partners, a private equity firm.

Kahn said the deal allows the company to deliver value to stockholders “despite a challenging business environment” and it also allows Franchise Group to continue its partnerships “with high-quality franchisees, operators and financial institutions.”

Franchise Group employed about 8,500 full-time and 5,600 part-time workers as of Dec. 31, 2022. The company’s brand portfolio also includes Wag N’ Wash, American Freight, Badcock Home Furniture & More, Buddy’s Home Furnishings and Sylvan Learning.

Sept. 23, 2024

Tempur Sealy, faced with a Federal Trade Commission fight against its proposed takeover of retailer Mattress Firm, on Sept. 23 inked a deal to divest 73 Mattress Firm stores along with 103 specialty mattress retail locations and seven distribution centers run by its Sleep Outfitters subsidiary.

Mattress Warehouse, which runs more than 320 stores and is the second-largest retailer in the space, would acquire those locations, though the agreement is contingent upon Tempur Sealy’s Mattress Firm acquisition going through. 

A few weeks later, Tempur Sealy and Mattress Firm sought an injunction in federal court to stop the FTC’s administrative proceedings on the matter, which is happening alongside the agency’s federal suit. The complaint, filed Oct. 4, argues that the dual actions violate constitutional protections.

July 2, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission in July voted unanimously to block Tempur Sealy International’s $4 billion bid to acquire Mattress Firm. In the process the FTC authorized a federal lawsuit to fight the deal, inked about a year ago.

In a special call July 8, Tempur Sealy executives said that, due to the lawsuit, their comments would be limited. However, they said they had worked with the FTC for over a year, granting several extensions throughout that process. CEO Scott Thompson told investors that the company believes it will prevail in court and that the transaction will likely close late this year or in early 2025.

May 9, 2023

Tempur Sealy International on May 9 announced a deal to acquire Mattress Firm in a stock-and-cash deal valued at about $4 billion. About $2.7 billion of cash consideration includes the repayment of Mattress Firm’s debt and other items, and 1.3 billion in stock will be issued to Mattress Firm shareholders.

Tempur Sealy expects to begin realizing various marketing and other synergies by the end of year two and to realize at least $100 million in annual run-rate synergies by the end of year four.

Mattress Firm has sold brands from Tempur Sealy – which include Tempur-Pedic, Sealy and Stearns & Foster lines as well as various private labels – for 35 years.  Mattress Firm’s more than 2,300 brick-and-mortar retail stores, e-commerce, and sleep education and tracking platforms complement Tempur Sealy’s DTC operations, “enabling a seamless omni-channel ecosystem that meets the needs of more consumers nationwide,” the companies said.

After a couple of bankruptcies and various owners in recent years, control of RadioShack changed once again in May. Unicomer Group, which first ran a RadioShack franchise in El Salvador in 1998, bought a majority stake from Retail Ecommerce Ventures. In 2015, Unicomer acquired RadioShack’s brands, intellectual property and existing franchise agreements for Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

REV, which also owns Pier 1, Modell’s Sporting Goods and other retail brands, acquired RadioShack’s IP in late 2020, and it’s unclear whether it retains a stake. Last year REV licensed the brand for a cryptocurrency venture dubbed RadioShack Swap, a separate company from RadioShack.

July 11, 2023

EBay on July 11 completed its acquisition of Certilogo. 

“Through this acquisition, eBay will be able to offer brands secure, connected product solutions that are both flexible and compatible,” EBay Vice President Charis Marquez said in a statement. “Brands will also be able to protect their customers from counterfeits and engage in recommerce through counterfeit-proof digital product passports.”

May 5, 2023

EBay agreed to purchase Certilogo, an AI-powered digital ID and authentication company, for an undisclosed sum. 

The deal will strengthen eBay’s ability to authenticate designer garments for secondhand shoppers.

“For many years, consumers have turned to eBay as a trusted destination for buying and selling pre-loved apparel and fashion goods, not only because of the unmatched selection, but because of our commitment to utilizing the latest technology to empower our sellers and buyers,” Charis Marquez, vice president of eBay, said in a statement. “Certilogo’s technology and talented team allows eBay to build on this commitment, establishing eBay as a leader in pre-loved fashion, and offering new ways for consumers to connect and engage with brands.”

Francesca’s on May 2 announced a deal to acquire Richer Poorer — launched by CEO Iva Pawling in 2010 — for an undisclosed amount. 

Richer Poorer started out selling socks via wholesale before pivoting to DTC. Its assortment now also includes other wardrobe basics. 

Pawling will continue to lead the brand as well as the Francesca’s Franki tween line and its wholesale operations.

May 25, 2023

Vince announced the closing of its transaction with Authentic Brands Group. 

“With the proceeds from this transaction, we strengthened our financial foundation by repaying in full the outstanding balance of $27.7 million under our Term Loan Credit Facility as well as a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility,” Jack Schwefel, CEO of Vince Holding, said in a statement. “With a stronger balance sheet in place, we are now better positioned to enhance our focus on driving margin expansion and executing against our strategic growth initiatives.”

April 21, 2023

Authentic Brands Group struck a deal to purchase the intellectual property of Vince. Under the deal, Vince Holding Corp. will move Vince’s IP to a newly formed subsidiary controlled by ABG. In return, Vince Holding Corp. will receive $76.5 million in cash and a 25% ownership stake in the subsidiary, to be called ABG Vince.

FullBeauty Brands, a conglomerate of plus-size apparel labels and retailers, in April said it would acquire DTC brand Eloquii from Walmart for an undisclosed amount.

The plus-size brand is yet another to be off-loaded by Walmart in recent years, undoing an acquisition spree of various e-commerce businesses that began in 2016. In a statement, a Walmart spokesperson said since acquiring Eloquii in 2018 for a reported $100 million, “Walmart.com has grown to hundreds of millions of items, and we’ve decided it’s the right time to sell Eloquii.”

Eloquii co-founder and brand chief Julie Carnevale will remain. The brand is set to anchor a new FullBeauty digital mall, joined initially by SwimSuitsForAll and June+Vie. It will also be part of an existing digital mall that features other FullBeauty brands.

The purchase will allow FullBeauty Brands to expand further into the $81 billion women’s plus fashion market in the U.S., which the company noted is growing three times faster than women’s apparel overall and remains an underserved market.

“While we hope to bring scale and platform expertise to bear, we will also humbly be learning from Julie and the talented Eloquii team, who are the soul of the Eloquii brand DNA, and who fortunately are joining us on this next phase of the Eloquii journey,” FullBeauty CEO Jim Fogarty said in a statement.

Direct-to-consumer apparel company Universal Standard acquired plus-size luxury womenswear brand Henning in April. Henning will be fully incorporated into Universal Standard’s brand, with Henning’s workwear focus to contribute to Universal Standard’s fall 2023 collection.

“Despite current trends suggesting otherwise, the future of fashion is rooted in inclusivity and we are confident that embracing size-inclusivity will continue to be profitable for the business,” Universal Standard CEO Polina Veksler said in a statement. “Our acquisition of Henning is the next wave of our vital mission to make fashion more accessible for all people, whether a size 2 or size 32.”

Henning’s founder Lauren Chan joins Universal Standard as its head of brand partnerships.

May 24, 2023

Express and brand management firm WHP Global closed on their acquisition of Bonobos in May. With the move, WHP Global’s portfolio, which also includes Toys R Us, Babies R Us and Anne Klein, grew to about 10 brands.

“Bonobos is delivering double-digit sales growth and we plan to continue that momentum while also realizing operating synergies and other economies of scale,” Express CEO Tim Baxter said in an April announcement. “This is a compelling addition to our brand portfolio, and I expect the transaction will be accretive to operating income and free cash flow positive in fiscal 2023.”

April 13, 2023

Walmart in April sold Bonobos for $75 million – less than a quarter of what it paid for the DTC menswear brand in 2017. The retail giant then was in the midst of acquiring several online apparel brands, but recently has begun selling them off.

Express Inc., which runs apparel retailers Express and UpWest, will pay $25 million for Bonobos’ operating assets and will assume related liabilities, while brand management firm WHP Global is paying $50 million for the Bonobos brand.

While Walmart developed a Bonobos sub-brand to sell in its stores, the DTC company has remained largely independent. Some observers saw that tie-up as a poor fit and said Bonobos may have a better chance of thriving with Express in charge.

“Bonobos is the latest brand to be offloaded and is being sold for way under the price Walmart paid for it back in 2017,” GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders said in emailed comments. “Other than learning from and experimenting with Bonobos, Walmart ultimately didn’t really know what to do with the brand and didn’t have all that much ambition to develop it.”

Disruptor mattress company Casper in April announced plans to sell its Canadian operations to traditional Canadian retailer Sleep Country.

Sleep Country will receive a $4.5 million marketing transition fee from Casper over the next three years and get three-year warrants that could convert into a roughly 1% stake in Casper once exercised, per the release. Additionally, Sleep Country invested $20 million in five-year convertible notes that could convert into about 5% of Casper’s shares.

“We are thrilled to expand upon our retail journey by partnering up with one of North America’s top sleep retailers,” Emilie Arel, CEO of Casper, said in a statement. “Sleep Country has been a retail mattress legacy for almost 3 decades, and sharing best practices with this leading retailer only helps accelerate our expertise and rapid growth in the retail omnichannel space.”

Aug. 30, 2023

L’Oréal completed its acquisition of luxury beauty brand Aesop, according to a company press release. 

“We are excited to begin this new chapter in the Aesop story. I am confident that L’Oréal is the best partner to take Aesop to the next level,” Aesop CEO Michael O’Keeffe said in a statement. “With L’Oréal’s support and unparalleled expertise, we will continue to grow and innovate, reaching even more people and expanding our brand globally, while staying true to our values, building on our distinctive brand and heritage.”

April 4, 2023

L’Oréal Group entered into an agreement with Natura & Co. to acquire luxury beauty brand Aesop for $2.5 billion.