Bid/ask

$1.9b

J Sainsbury shops Argos. The British supermarket giant acquired Home Retail Group, the company behind Argos general stores. The deal makes Sainsbury the biggest nonfood retailer in the U.K., adding to its groceries 800 shops selling toys, electronics, and home and garden gear. More important, the Argos delivery network will help Sainsbury compete with Amazon.com.

By Kyle Stock