This past year we saw several acquisitions made by major apparel and department store retailers. Gap Inc. acquired women’s fashion boutique Intermix. The retailer announced plans to double Intermix’s store count (at the time of the merger it was 32) and look for opportunities to expand the chain overseas. TJX Companies acquired Sierra Trading Post, an online retailer. In addition to Sierra’s e-commerce operations, the deal also includes 4 outlet stores in Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada.

Foot Locker Inc. completed its acquisition of Runners Point Group, a specialty athletic store and online retailer based in Germany. Joe’s Jeans completed the acquisition of Hudson Clothing Holdings, a global designer and marketer of women’s and men’s premium branded denim apparel. Also in 2013, PVH Corp. signed an agreement selling its G.H. Bass & Co. division to rival G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.

Investment company Sycamore Partners completed its acquisition of Hot Topic, returning the brand to the private sector. Frederick’s of Hollywood also announced it will once again go private. On the contrary, Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp. decided to go public this year, as did high-end department store Neiman Marcus.

The most notable transaction of the year was Hudson’s Bay acquiring Saks Inc. Saks will operate separately under the Hudson’s Bay umbrella, including its own merchandising, marketing and store operations teams, and will remain headquartered in New York. The combined company operates a total of 320 stores, including 179 full-line specialty department stores, 72 outlet stores and 69 home stores.

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