News roundup--Rigby & Peller, Barber of Sheffield, more

Upmarket lingerie retailer Rigby & Peller reported a 12 percent sales decline, from £10.1 million to £8.9 million in the 11 months to December. Despite being under new ownership, Rigby & Peller posted a loss for the third consecutive year, of £520,000, writes the Mail on Sunday.

Barber of Sheffield, a medical supplies business specialising in selling tattoo equipment and consumables via its catalogue and website, has secured a multimillion pound investment to expand its operations. Venture capital firm EV invested a sum from the Coalfields Funds in the business, alongside PHD Equity Partners. The deal will allow the owners, husband and wife Tony and Stephanie Crane, to realise part of their investment in the business and will also provide funding for growth including overseas expansion in to the US and Europe. As well as tattoo products, the company also supplies to veterinary wholesalers and also provides autopsy products for hospitals, mortuaries and emergency services.

Bazaarvoice is to acquire rival PowerReviews for $151 million (£96 million). The deal expands the Bazaarvoice network to over 1,800 clients globally. In more M&A news, Quark announced its acquisition of Mobile IQ, creator of PressRun, a cloud-based digital publishing solution developed to deliver interactive tablet and mobile experiences.