Softbank Increases Stake in Buy.com

Internet retailer Buy.com Inc. agreed to sell a stake to a group led by Japan’s Softbank Corp. for $165 million to help the closely held company expand in Europe and Japan. Softbank will hold about a 31% stake in Aliso Viejo-based Buy.com if it converts its preferred stock into common shares. Other investors include France’s Vivendi, the world’s largest water company, which is building media businesses, and media giant News Corp.