Rare Retail IPO Hits Market

Updated from Nov. 24

With half of the 60-odd initial public offerings in the past 12 months in financial and health services, the IPO of retailer Conn's can't help but stand out. The company joins the ranks of just three other companies in the retail group that have gone public since last November.

Beaumont, Texas-based Conn's, which sells major home appliances, consumer electronics, home office equipment and lawn products, priced 4.15 million shares late Monday at $14 each, at the high of its $12-to-$14 price range.

Conn's follows three other recent offerings in the retail/restaurant sector: Buffalo Wild Wings(BWLD Quote), which went public on Nov. 21, Carter's(CRI Quote) on Oct. 23, and RedEnvelope(REDE Quote) on Sept. 24. ...