Mergers & Acquisitions

eBay announced that it's agreed to acquire additional shares in GittiGidiyor, the leading online marketplace in Turkey. The deal follows eBay’s acquisition of a minority stake in the company in 2007. Upon closing of the transaction, eBay will own approximately 93 percent of the outstanding shares of GittiGidiyor.

Bed Bath & Beyond announced plans to open approximately 45 new stores across all of the company's concepts during 2011. "We believe that throughout the U.S. and Canada, there's an opportunity to create in excess of 1,300 Bed Bath & Beyond stores, as well as grow our Christmas Tree Shops and buybuy BABY concepts from coast to coast," said Warren Eisenberg, co-chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Abercrombie & Fitch announced plans to open 20 new flagship and 40 new Hollister stores outside the U.S. by 2015 during its annual investor conference. Most of the new stores will be in Asia and Europe, though the chain said it plans to explore expansion in Latin America and other “southern hemisphere” markets soon.

Target plans to open more than 200 stores in Canada, with the first stores opening in 2013. With its first foray into the Canadian market, the big-box giant hopes to generate $6 billion in annual sales in Canada during the next six years.

Aaron’s has formed a partnership with Buxton, a customer analytics firm, to assist with the retailer’s market expansion and analytics strategy. “Our partnership with Buxton gives Aaron’s the capability to define optimal custom territories and identify the trade areas and markets where expansion would be the most profitable for us,” said Josh Newman, senior director of real estate for Aaron’s.

Flash-sale site ideeli is launching plus-size and petite sample sales, with new brands launching every Wednesday. “Many designers cap their collections at size 10, yet there is clearly demand for contemporary styles in fuller-figured sizes," Mary Harmon group vice president at ideeli, said in a statement.

Anthropologie and the Cork Forest Conservation Alliance announced a joint initiative in all 153 Anthropologie stores in the U.S. and U.K. to increase awareness and promote the preservation of Mediterranean cork forests, one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.

Sony recently opened its first Sony Store in California, which will lead into a phased-in replacement of the current Sony Style concept. The change has also included shuttering of older Sony Style stores, the company said.

GameStop, the world’s largest retailer of video games with 6,670 stores in 17 countries, is hedging its bets when it comes to digital distribution. The company announced it would acquire Spawn Labs and Impulse to bolster its ability sell games online. The purchase prices were not disclosed.

Sony Electronics has announced the opening of its first newly branded store in the U.S., which offers a new concept, design and customer experience. It will open its doors to the public today in the Westfield Century City shopping mall in Los Angeles.