Safilo Announces New Term Loan Facility

Safilo Group S.p.A. announced the signing of a new term loan facility for an amount of €108.0 million ($123 mm) to provide Safilo S.p.A. with additional liquidity to finance working capital and investment needs for activities located in Italy.

Canada’s MEC To Be Acquired By U.S. PE Firm

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC),  Canada’s largest outdoor chain with 22 stores, announced its board of directors has unanimously approved a deal in which a Los Angeles-based private investment firm will acquire MEC’s assets, including the majority of its retail stores. Vancouver-based MEC said the transition from a co-operative structure to a subsidiary of Kingswood Capital Management is needed to ensure a stable future for the business.

REI Co-Op Sells Headquarters To Facebook

REI Co-op announced that it has completed the sale of its newly completed corporate campus in the Spring District neighborhood of Bellevue, WA, for a purchase price of $390 million. The 400,000-square-foot campus and approximately six acres of land were purchased by Facebook on September 14.

Alterra Mountain Company Sets Plan For 20/21 Winter Operations

Alterra Mountain Company plans to limit daily lift tickets, prioritize access for season pass holders, eliminate walk-up window sales and discontinue the sale of most undated lift ticket products due to COVID-19 as part of its strategy to prepare for its 20/21 Winter operations.

Scheels Rolls Out Mobile Checkout

Scheels, which has 28 stores,  has completed its initial implementation of the cloud-based Oracle Retail Xstore mobile POS platform and Oracle Retail Xstore Office Cloud Service to enable its employees to check out customers on selling floors.

Newell Brands Appoints Board Member

Newell Brands announced that Jay L. Johnson, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Lamar Advertising Company, has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors, effective September 8, 2020. He will serve as a member of the Audit Committee.

Portland’s U.S. Outdoor Store Files For Bankruptcy

U.S. Outdoor Store, a landmark store in downtown Portland for decades, filed for bankruptcy and closed its downtown store. The retailer blamed fallout from COVID-19, civic unrest in Portland, shifts to online purchasing and a dispute with its lender. Amer Sports, The North Face and Volcom held the largest unsecured claims among vendors.