Which brick-and-mortar retail is the most profitable on a sales per square foot basis? According to eMarket the answer is no other than Apple, who managed to buck the decline seen in most traditional retail outlets.

The analyst says the average retailer makes around $325 per square foot, down from nearly $375 in the early 2000s. In good part this is due to the disruption caused by Amazon, but some companies have managed to grow sales despite the decline. The most spectacular results come from Apple-- The iPhone maker makes $5546 per square foot, making it one of the most successful brick-and-mortar retailer in the world.

In comparison, second placing retailer Reis & Ivy makes $3970 per square foot, while gas/convenience chain Murphy USA makes $3721. Even top jeweler Tiffany & Co stands lower than Apple, since it makes $2951, and leading apparel retailer lululemon Athletica makes $1560.

Following months of speculation on the fate of the office supply chain, Sycamore Partners emerges as the buyer of Staples in a deal worth $6.9 billion, the largest acquisition for the private equity firm.

The announcement comes just over 13 months after the federal judge dashed the $6.3bn acquisition of Staples by rival Office Depot over fears the merger would create an office supply monopoly.

“With an iconic brand, a winning strategy, and dedicated and passionate associates who are deeply focused on the customer, Staples is truly an outstanding enterprise,” Sycamore says. “We have tremendous confidence in CEO Shira Goodman and great respect for the Staples management team and are excited about this opportunity to partner with them to accelerate long-term profitability.”

A group of RadioShack creditors are blaming Sprint for the second bankruptcy of the anachronistically-named RadioShack-- and are suing US mobile carrier for the damages.

As Reuters reports, the lawsuit is looking for $500 million in damages. It claims "Sprint Corp used confidential information from its alliance with RadioShack Corp to open competing mobile phone stores, dooming the comeback by the electronics retailer and destroying jobs."

Sprint allegedly used insider information to open 200 Sprint stores near the best RadioShack locations, and as a result "destroyed nearly 6000 RadioShack jobs." In addition, the carrier is accused of further breach of contract by ignoring provide inventory and staff to RadioShack stores due to its own financial troubles.

Media Markt and Saturn owner Metro Group leads an investment in Yoyo Wallet, a London-based mobile payment and customer loyalty platform operating in the European market.

Launched in 2013, Yoyo allows customers to do fast and simple mobile ordering via app. It also handles payments and personalised loyalty programs. On the other hand, retailers get analytics and a campaign platfrom, and can also build Yoyo-powered retailer-specific branded apps.

Dixons Carphone announces an end to its US joint venture with mobile network Sprint after less than 2 years, the result of a "changing US mobile market landscape."

As a result, Sprint will acquire the Dixon Carphone share of the distribution joint venture. The team up had Dixons Carphone manage a number of Sprint-branded stores in US while providing consultancy services. Instead, the UK retailer plans to concentrate on the rollout of its Honeybee sales software, which is used under white label by the likes of Apple, across the entire Sprint operation.

“We have enjoyed working with Sprint to accelerate their store opening programme over the last 2 years and have developed an estate and a pipeline to help support their ambitious growth plans," Dixons Carphone CEO Andrew Harrison says. "With the significant shift in the US mobile market, now is the right time to transfer these stores to Sprint, and to concentrate on our exciting software business, Honeybee."

Media Markt plans to open a new store concept in Wilrijk and Eindhoven, adding a snack bar, coffee bar complete with barista and even a beauty salon.

The stores are designed to ensure a longer and more pleasant shopping experience. As such, furnishings are cozy while several seating areas allow customers to test out products. There are even areas where customers can race drones, play games and test out virtual reality hardware.

Amazon wants to bolster its presence in the Middle East with the acquisition of Souq, the online retailer often described as "the Amazon of the Arab world."

"Amazon and Souq share the same DNA-- we’re both driven by customers, invention, and long-term thinking,” Amazon says. "Souq pioneered e-commerce in the Middle East, creating a great shopping experience for their customers. We're looking forward to both learning from and supporting them with Amazon technology and global resources. And together, we’ll work hard to provide the best possible service for millions of customers in the M. East."

Souq sells CE, as well as fashion, household items and other goods. It claims to be the largest e-commerce player in the region, and was valued at $1 billion during its last round of funding back in 2016. Last year Souq was reportedly in talks with Amazon to sell a 30% stake, a deal also putting its value at $1bn, but TechCrunch sources claim the final asking price for the deal comes to around $650 million.

Dixons Carphone reports strong results for the 2016 Christmas season, with fiscal Q3 2016 (ending 9 January 2017) revenues growing by 5% Y-o-Y thanks to mobile device sales.

The company also points out TVs and domestic appliances and best sellers, as well as record sales seen during the Black Friday and Boxing Day discount periods.

“I am pleased to be reporting another good Christmas period of growth-- our 5th consecutive year," CEO Sebastian James says. "At a time of significant political uncertainty around the world, it was heartening to see that customers were choosing to enjoy the benefits that new technologies could bring to their lives during this holiday season."