Mergers & Acquisitions

Potentially helping Groupon break free of email inboxes, the deal giant is reportedly in partnership talks with location-based leader Foursquare. The arrangement is likely to see Groupon deals targeted to Foursquare users' check-ins, according to multiple sources cited by All Things D.

Steve Madden has completed the acquisition of privately held The Topline Corporation, a designer, producer and marketer of private label and branded footwear. 

Wal-Mart has revealed an integrated 360-degree marketing and media relationship with Hispanic family media company Todobebé, Inc. Wal-Mart is now the sole, year-round retail sponsor for the company's multiple platforms, which target Hispanic mothers and families raising children under 5 years old in the United States.

Shoe maker Deckers Outdoor Corp. said it's buying the Sanuk shoe and sandal brand from Sanuk U.S.A. LLC and C.& C. Partners Ltd. for $120 million. The business generated more than $43 million in net sales last year. Deckers expects the acquisition will boost earnings modestly this year, before transaction costs.

Gilt Groupe is expanding its e-commerce offerings by launching Gilt Taste, a culinary e-magazine and specialty food market. Gilt Groupe Chairman Susan Lyne and Ruth Reichl, Gilt taste advisor, weigh in.

Big Lots has decided not to sell itself after bids from private equity firms came in below the company's expectations. The chain reportedly had received interest from several buyout firms earlier this year.

Wal-Mart announced today that it's reached an agreement to acquire a minority stake in the holding company of Yihaodian, a fast-growing e-commerce company in China. The transaction is expected to close within 60 days.

Facebook and Google are separately considering acquisition or partnership deals with Skype, according to sources speaking to Reuters. Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has been in discussions concerning a possible purchase, one of the sources indicated, a deal that could be worth between $3 billion and $4 billion.

Harry & David, which filed for Chapter 11 in March, asked the court for permission to hire a real estate consultant to help close 50 of its 122 stores. The company seeks approval to hire DJM Realty Services, a subsidiary of the Gordon Brothers Group.

The owner of clothing retailers La Senza and American Apparel has bought fellow fashion chain All Saints in a deal set to secure hundreds of jobs. Investment firm Lion Capital has teamed up with American Apparel investor Goode Partners to buy the holdings of two Icelandic banks for an undisclosed sum.