Chile-based retailer Falabella revealed it would buy e-tailer Linio for $138 million to boost its online footprint. At the same time, the firm said it will launch an $800 million stock offering to finance the acquisition and accelerate other logistic and technological expansions. Part of the funds will also back the roll out of Ikea stores in Chile, Peru and Colombia. "Linio will boost Falabella Retail, Sodimac y Tottus," the retailer said, becoming de facto the site for marketing the group's department-store, home improvement and supermarket divisions, respectively. The units will continue to operate their own online stores.

Linio has 107,000 fashion products, most of which appear to be private label goods. It also stocks a range of local and international brands, for men, women and children.

Falabella, with 491 stores and 49 shopping malls, posted e-commerce sales of $769 million in 2017, up 36 percent.