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 company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

The event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.

After the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.


The rapper and singer-songwriter will perform at Tao Beach on June 8.

“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere , and Jewelers of America has what you need to be prepared for it all.

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

The “Rush Hour” campaign stars Zoë Kravitz in bold, wearable pieces designed to make a statement in the workplace.

Breitling is reviving Gallet, which was founded in 1826 and is known for making watches used in the early days of long-distance travel.

Dubbed the “Mediterranean Blue,” this “remarkably rare” diamond will be part of Sotheby’s May jewelry auction in Geneva.

Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz created more than 75 new pieces for the residency, which will be on display at Trove’s store in New York through April.

Smith explores why a qualified candidate might still not be right for the job.

The company and its marketing agency, Loudr, were recognized for the “Make You Dance” marketing campaign.

The “Series8” and “Attesa” collections will be grouped under Citizen Premier.

David Fager, a former systems engineer at the retailer, was promoted to the role.

From retailers to designers and the media, the fine jewelry industry recognized one another’s work and looked to the future.

Eleanor H. Yeh is the recipient of the eighth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

Joseph Cavalcante takes on the dual role as the Spanish jewelry brand looks to expand further into the U.S. market.

The trade show has also upgraded its venue to the Caesars Forum Conference Center.

The Dayton-based jeweler, which has been in business since 1985, was formerly known as Stafford Jewelers.

Reeds Jewelers CEO Alan Zimmer will be presented with the honor at JVC’s annual luncheon.

The piece, celebrating birthdays from March 21 to April 19, debuted with Sorellina’s new line of astrological pendants.

The Indian jewelry brand recently opened stores in Atlanta and Seattle.

CEO Beth Gerstein shared its most popular price points, what’s trending in non-bridal fine jewelry, and its holiday performance.

The 15 pieces were crafted from the “Insofu” emerald, discovered in Zambia in 2010.