Zumiez Battles Billabong for West 49

U.S. retailer Zumiez is reportedly readying a bid to top Billabong International's $80.1 million offer to acquire West 49, a Canadian-based action sports retailer. According to the Wall Street Journal, "The West 49 board told Billabong it believes the Zumiez offer could 'reasonably be expected to lead to a superior proposal' and has notified Billabong that Zumiez has been granted due diligence to determine if the offer can become a firm, and financially superior, offer." Zumiez is a mall-based action sports retailer, which sells apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories. The company operates 377 stores in 35 states. If Zumiez