ViSalus Names Tyler P. Schuessler Chief Administrative Officer

Senior Executive Joins Management Team from Majority-Owner Blyth ViSalus today announced the appointment of Tyler P. Schuessler as Chief Administrative Officer.  Ms. Schuessler will join ViSalus on September 1st from her position as Vice President, Organizational Development & Investor Relations at Blyth, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed company, where she reports to the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Office of the Chairman.  Ms. Schuessler will be a member of ViSalus' senior executive team and will report directly to Ryan Blair, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ViSalus.

Physicians Formula Holdings, Inc. to be Acquired by Swander Pace Capital for $4.25 Per Share   Physicians Formula Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:FACE) ("Physicians Formula" or the "Company") and Swander Pace Capital ("Swander Pace") announced today they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which affiliates of Swander Pace will acquire Physicians Formula. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Swander Pace, through its affiliates, will acquire all outstanding shares of the common stock of Physicians Formula for $4.25 per share in cash, or approximately $65 million. The per share price represents a premium of approximately 15% over Physicians Formula's closing stock price on August 14, 2012 and a 21% premium to the Company's one-month volume-weighted average price of $3.50 per share.

Fossil, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

Second Quarter Net Sales and Diluted Earnings Per Share Continue at Record Levels Constant Dollar Net Sales Rise 18.1% Diluted Earnings Per Share Increase 15.0% to $0.92

Fossil, Inc. (FOSL) (the "Company") today reported second quarter net sales and earnings for the thirteen-week ("Second Quarter") and twenty-six week ("Six Month Period") periods ended June 30, 2012.

The Home Depot Agrees To Acquire U.S. Home Systems

The Home Depot® and U.S. Home Systems, Inc. ("USHS") today announced a definitive merger agreement for The Home Depot to acquire USHS.  USHS, based in Irving, Texas, is currently an exclusive provider of kitchen and bath refacing products and services as well as closet and garage organizational systems to The Home Depot. Under the terms of the agreement, The Home Depot will acquire USHS for $12.50 per share in cash which represents an approximately 38% premium over USHS' closing price on The NASDAQ Global Market on August 6, 2012. The agreement was unanimously approved by USHS's board of directors.  The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the calendar year, and is subject to approval by USHS stockholders, applicable regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Blue Nile Announces Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results

Second Quarter Sales of $91.0 million, Representing Growth of 13.0%

Second Quarter Earnings Per Diluted Share Total $0.11

Company Repurchased 1.5 Million Shares Through August 1, 2012

Blue Nile, Inc. (NILE), the leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended July 1, 2012.

Net sales increased 13.0% to $91.0 million for the second quarter ended July 1, 2012. Operating income for the quarter totaled $2.3 million, representing an operating margin of 2.6% of net sales. Net income totaled $1.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.

United Online Reports Second Quarter 2012 Results

    Board of Directors Approves Preliminary Plan to Separate into Two Independent Publicly-Traded Companies     Consolidated Revenues of $231.9 Million, Operating Income of $16.9 Million and Adjusted OIBDA of $35.2 Million     FTD Segment Revenues and Segment Adjusted OIBDA Increase Year Over Year for Sixth Consecutive Quarter After Adjusting for Timing of U.K. Mother’s Day     Memory Lane, Inc. Completes Acquisition of schoolFeed, Inc.

United Online, Inc. (UNTD), a leading provider of consumer products and services over the Internet, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2012 Results

Reports Q3 In-Line with Guidance; Refines 2012 Outlook; Announces Board Authorization of $500 Million Share Repurchase; Provides Outlook Including Expectation of Positive Free Cash Flow

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., (GMCR) (GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, today announced its third quarter fiscal year 2012 results for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended June 23, 2012.

Lowe's confirms non-binding proposal to RONA Board to acquire RONA for C$14.50 in cash per share Lowe's non-binding proposal provides an attractive premium to RONA shareholders, compelling strategic logic for both companies and important commitments to RONA's key stakeholders Under Lowe's proposal RONA would remain a Quebec-based company with the Canadian head office in Boucherville, Quebec Lowe's seeking friendly negotiation with RONA Board of Directors

Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE:LOW - News) ("Lowe's" or the "Company") confirmed today that it has made a non-binding proposal to the Board of Directors of Canadian home improvement and hardware retailer RONA Inc. (TSX:RON.TO - News) ("RONA") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of RONA for C$14.50 in cash per share.

Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. Declares Special Dividend of $9.50 per share

Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE MKT: FRS), announced today that the Board of Directors declared a special one-time dividend of  $9.50  per share payable on September 14, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2012.  The total amount of the special dividend payment will be approximately $46.9 million based on the present number of shares outstanding and is expected to be funded from the Company's excess cash on hand.  After payment of the special dividend, the Company expects to have sufficient cash and borrowing capacity to execute its strategy of growing its Big Boy concept including new stores, existing store renovations, ongoing investments in the productivity of its food production facilities and its recently announced share repurchase program.

Peet’s to Become Private in a Transaction Valued at $1 Billion

Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEET) and Joh. A. Benckiser (“JAB”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which JAB will acquire Peet’s for $73.50 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $1 billion. The agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Peet’s Board of Directors, represents a premium of approximately 29% over Peet’s closing stock price on July 20, 2012. At the close of the transaction, Peet’s will be privately owned and will continue to be operated by the company’s current management team and employees. Peet’s Coffee & Tea, founded in Berkeley, CA in 1966 by Alfred Peet, will remain based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with its home office in Emeryville and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certified roast-to-order facility in Alameda.

Five Below, Inc. Announces Pricing of Its Initial Public Offering

Five Below, Inc. (FIVE) announced today the pricing of its initial public offering of 9,615,384 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $17.00 per share. The shares will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and will trade under the ticker symbol "FIVE" beginning on July 19, 2012. Five Below is offering 4,807,692 shares of common stock and selling shareholders are offering 4,807,692 shares of common stock. The underwriters also have an option to purchase up to an additional 1,442,308 shares from certain selling shareholders. Five Below will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.

CEDC and Russian Standard Sign Amended Definitive Agreements On Strategic Alliance, Investment In CEDC

- Russian Standard Confirms its Commitment to Strategic Alliance with CEDC - Reconfirms Its Commitment to Purchase Up to $210M of Newly Issued CEDC Senior Notes - Proceeds To Extinguish CEDC 2013 Notes - CEDC Announces Management Changes, Board Addition Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) announced today that it has signed amended definitive agreements on its previously announced strategic alliance with Russian Standard Corporation (through Roust Trading Ltd., its "Roust Trading" unit). The alliance is expected to significantly strengthen CEDC's balance sheet and create a powerful portfolio of brands with enhanced production, distribution and sales channels throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

ABC-MART Announces Agreement to Acquire LaCrosse Footwear

ABC-MART, INC. (TSE:2670), Japan’s leading retailer of athletic, business and casual footwear, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. (BOOT), a leading provider of premium, branded footwear for work and outdoor users, pursuant to which ABC-MART will acquire all outstanding shares of LaCrosse Footwear stock for $20 per share in cash, or approximately $138 million.

The purchase price represents a premium of 82% over LaCrosse Footwear’s average closing stock price over the last 30 days ended July 5, 2012, and an 82% premium over the closing price on July 5, 2012. Under the agreement, ABC-MART will commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of LaCrosse Footwear. The transaction is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of 2012.

J. Alexander’s Corporation Announces Agreement to Merge with Subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

Shareholders May Elect $12 Per Share In Cash Or $3 Per Share In Cash And Stock In New Co. J. Alexander’s Corporation (JAX), today announced that on Friday, June 22, the Company entered into an agreement with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) to merge the Company with a subsidiary of American Blue Ribbon Holdings, Inc. (“ABRH”), a newly formed, indirect majority owned subsidiary of FNF. Immediately following the merger, J. Alexander’s will be combined with the current restaurant operations of ABRH, LLC, a restaurant operating company and an indirect majority owned subsidiary of FNF. Following the transaction, the combined restaurant operating company will own and operate over 700 restaurants in 43 states under seven different restaurant concepts with total combined annual revenue of approximately $1.5 billion.

Chanticleer Holdings Announces $11,000,000 Public Offering of Units and Listing on NASDAQ With New Symbol

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (HOTR) ("Chanticleer Holdings" or the "Company"), a business operator focused on expanding the Hooters casual dining restaurant brand in international markets, announces the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 2,444,450 units at an offering price of $4.50 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock. The units will begin trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market on June 21, 2012 under the symbol "HOTRU". The common stock and warrants will not be separately transferable for a minimum of 30 days, unless the representatives of the underwriters determine that an earlier date is acceptable, and no later than 45 days from the date of the prospectus. Each warrant will have an exercise price of $5.00 per share, will be exercisable upon separation of the units, and will expire in five years. When separately transferable, the warrants will trade on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "HOTRW".

Francesca's Holdings Corporation Reports Financial Results for the Fiscal First Quarter Ended April 28, 2012

Comparable Boutique Sales Increased 15.5% Earnings Per Diluted Share Doubled to $0.20

Francesca's Holdings Corporation (FRAN) today announced financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended April 28, 2012.

For the fiscal first quarter ended April 28, 2012:

Net sales increased 48.6% to $61.3 million from $41.3 million in the same prior year period. Comparable boutique sales increased by 15.5% following an increase of 14.7% in the same prior year period.

MEGA Brands and Activision announce worldwide licensing partnership

MEGA BLOKS Toys Based on SKYLANDERS GiantsTM Coming This Fall MEGA Brands Inc. (TSX: MB) and Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), announced today that they have entered into a multi-year, global licensing partnership to develop MEGA BLOKS & MEGA PUZZLES toys and puzzles inspired by Skylanders Giants™, the sequel to the #1 new kids videogame IP of 2011 - Skylanders Spyro's Adventure™.

PetSmart Reports Results for the First Quarter 2012

Q1 Earnings up 39% to $0.85 Per Share; Comp Sales of 7.4%; Total Sales up 9.4%; Comp Transactions up 3.3%

PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) today reported earnings of $0.85 per share, up 39% compared to $0.61 per share in the first quarter of 2011. Net income totaled $95 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $71 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Total sales for the first quarter of 2012 increased 9.4% to $1.6 billion. The increase in net sales was partially impacted by $2 million in unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations. Comparable store sales, or sales in stores open at least a year, grew 7.4%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 3.3%. Services sales, which are included in total sales, grew 8.3% to $181 million.

Benihana to Be Acquired by Angelo, Gordon & Co.'s Private Equity Group for $296 Million

Stockholders to Receive $16.30 Per Share in Cash in Successful Conclusion to Strategic Review Benihana Inc. (BNHN) ("Benihana" or the "Company"), operator of the nation's largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with funds advised by Angelo, Gordon & Co.'s ("Angelo Gordon") Private Equity Group in a transaction valued at approximately $296 million. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors, Angelo Gordon will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Benihana's common stock for $16.30 per share in cash.

Golf Town to Acquire Golfsmith International for US$6.10 per Share

Golf Town, Canada's largest specialty golf retailer, and Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (GOLF), announced today that they have signed a definitive merger agreement, pursuant to which Golf Town will acquire Golfsmith, a leading specialty golf retailer in the United States, for US $6.10 per share in cash. This represents a premium of 32.2% to Golfsmith stockholders based on the volume-weighted average closing prices of the Company Common Stock on the 30 trading days immediately preceding this announcement. This also represents a premium of 55.1% to Golfsmith stockholders based on the volume-weighted average closing prices of the Company Common Stock on the 30 trading days immediately preceding the announcement on March 1, 2012, that the Company was evaluating strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the Company. The closing of the acquisition, which is subject to limited closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2012. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition.