Macy’s Opens Books for Possible Buyout
The retailer also appointed two new board members, avoiding a proxy fight from a potential buyer.

The retailer is sharing certain confidential due diligence information with real estate investment firm Arkhouse Management and asset management firm Brigade Capital Management.
The companies offered Macy’s a $6.6 billion buyout deal, their second offer after the retailer declined their initial offer of $5.8 billion.
“The board is open-minded about the best path to create shareholder value and is committed to continuing to take actions that it believes are in the best interests of the company and all Macy’s Inc. shareholders,” the retailer said in a statement published Wednesday.
Macy’s has been battling declining sales, and recently announced it was implementing another turnaround plan, this one dubbed “A Brand New Day.”
The plan entails closing 150 Macy’s stores over the next three years while investing in the remaining locations and opening more stores for its luxury brands, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury.
The retailer also announced that one of the potential buyers, Arkhouse Management, ended its proxy contest after Macy’s appointed two of its nine nominees to the board and its finance committee.
The new independent directors are Richard (Ric) Clark and Richard (Rick) L. Markee.
Arkhouse had been challenging Macy’s board, nominating nine director candidates to the 14-member board following Macy’s rejection of its initial buyout offer.
Following the appointments of Clark and Markee, Arkhouse agreed to withdraw its seven other director nominations.
Clark and Markee will join the board’s Finance Committee, which will also oversee the acquisition proposal.
The company also implemented previously announced board changes, appointing CEO Tony Spring as its chairman. Douglas W. Sesler has been appointed as an independent director.
Former Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette and board member Frank Blake will retire.
“The Macy’s, Inc. board is committed to acting in the best interests of all Macy’s, Inc. shareholders, and the composition of our board is something we take seriously,” said Paul Varga, lead independent director of Macy’s.
“We are thrilled to have Tony serving as chairman moving forward, which completes our previously announced company and board leadership succession plan. Further, adding Ric and Rick, along with Doug, our other recently announced new director, to the board will provide us with a valuable mix of expertise as we continue to oversee the company’s strategic direction.”
Macy’s ranked No. 7 on National Jeweler’s 2023 “$100 Millon Supersellers” list, with an estimated $1.7 billion in jewelry and watch sales, up from $1.64 billion the previous year.
The Latest

The Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.

De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.

A signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.


The owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.

The colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.

The largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.

Emmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.

In honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.

NRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.

The “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.

The open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.

The jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.

Sponsored by Jewelers Mutual

The proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.

The Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.

The “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.

Natalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.

The pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.

Julien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.

Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.

The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.

The annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
























