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New York-based Barnes & Noble put itself up for sale on Aug. 3, according to The Wall Street Journal. With its struggle in the battle for a leading role in the digital books market, the bookstore chain is considering strategic alternatives and ways to increase shareholder value. Company founder and top shareholder Leonard Riggio is considering the possibility of forming an investor group to acquire the company. The company operates approximately 720 stores and has a value of more than $700 million. SAVE| EMAIL | PRINT | MOST POPULAR | RSS | REPRINTS DDI's RetailDesignDiva blog is dedicated

New York-based Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. has reached an agreement to assume direct control of its wholesale and retail distribution from its licensee Doosan Corp. in South Korea, beginning Jan. 1, 2011. Doosan currently distributes Polo Ralph Lauren products through approximately 175 in-store shops and five freestanding locations throughout South Korea. Doosan will continue to operate as the companys licensee in the region through Dec. 31, 2010. The total purchase price will be approximately $47 million. The company began the development of their Asian strategy with the acquisition of its Japan operations in 2007, followed by the recent acquisition

London-based Burberry Group Plc plans to buy out its franchise partner in China for $107.5 million, according to Reuters.com. Under the agreement with Kwok Hang Holdings Ltd, Burberry will acquire 50 stores across 30 cities. The purchase is part of the companys plan to unify the brand globally. The company plans to improve productivity in the existing stores and open new stores as well. SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | MOST POPULAR | RSS | REPRINTS DDI's RetailDesignDiva blog is dedicated to retail design issues, opinions and frustrations of the day.Read the Diva's recent rantings. DDI visited the

Linens & More for Less, a new retailer based in Brookfield, Ohio, is set to debut its first store on July 23 in Warren, Ohio, according to the Dayton Business Journal. Fred Mershad, the former CEO of Elder-Beerman Stores Co., will serve as the companys CEO. Mershad said the new retailer will open six stores before the end of the year, including a 30,000-sq.-ft. location inside the Dayton Mall, which will open on Sept. 23. Linens & More for Less will specialize in kitchen, bedroom and bathroom merchandise, offering 28 lines of cookware and more than 150 patterns of comforters.

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