Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Searchlight Capital Partners
Target: Hunter Boot Limited
Business: Wellington boot manufacturer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: US private equity house Searchlight become the new controlling shareholder in the boot maker.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Steve Madden
Target: Wild Pair
Business: Footwear brand
Value: Up to US$4m
Details: The brand was sold by Bakers Footwear Group who will continue to offer the brand in their stores.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Kelso Place Asset Management
Target: Nicole Fahri brand
Business: Women’s wear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: US private equity house Kelso acquired a significant stake in the business from OpenGate Capital.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Management
Target: Barratts Priceless Group
Business: Footwear retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Management buy the majority of the business from administrators.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Management
Target: Howie’s
Business: Organic clothing chain
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Management buy back the business from VF Corp having originally sold to Timberland.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Index Ventures, eVenture Capital and Advent Venture Partners
Target: Farfetch.com
Business: etailer
Value: US$18m
Details: Further expansion capital for rapidly growing website.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: JD Sports
Target: Blacks Leisure Group
Business: Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer
Value: GBP20m
Details: JD Sports buys the Blacks chain from the administrators.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Sports Direct
Target: Hot Tuna
Business: Surf fashion brand
Value: US$1.45m
Details: Hot Tuna board has agreed to recommend the Sports Direct offer to shareholders.
Date: January 2012
Buyer/Investor: Steve Madden
Target: SM Canada
Business: Wholesale Licensee
Value: cUS$29m
Details: Steve Madden acquires its licensee for Canada.
Date: December 2011
Buyer/Investor: Minerva Bidco
Target: Jacques Vert plc
Business: Women's wear brand
Value: GBP41m
Details: Sun Capital bid accepted by Jacques Vert board.
Date: December 2011
Buyer/Investor: New Wave Group AB
Target: Paris Glove of Canada Inc
Business: Gloves
Value: US$16m
Details: Sweden’s New Wave Group acquires route into Canadian retail markets.
Date: December 2011
Buyer/Investor: Michael Kors
Target: IPO
Business: Upmarket US fashion brand
Value: US$944m
Details: All funds raised will be paid to existing shareholders to cut their stakes. No funds will be received by the Company.
Date: November 2011
Buyer/Investor: Inspiration Ventures
Target: Askel Group Inc
Business: Men’s fashion e-tailer
Value: US$500,000
Details: Funding round led by Inspiration Ventures. Askel intends to distribute European brands not available in the US.
Date: November 2011
Buyer/Investor: Adidas
Target: Five Ten
Business: Outdoor action sports
Value: US$25m
Details: German sports group expands its outdoor segment with products popular with climbers, mountain bikers and other outdoor athletes
Date: November 2011
Buyer/Investor: Luxottica
Target: Grupo Tecnol
Business: Eyewear market business
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Lxottica strengthens market presence in Brazil by the purchase of Grupo Tecnol
Date: October 2011
Buyer/Investor: Liberty
Target: Christys’ Hats
Business: Hat brand
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Investment in niche British brand by department store Liberty.
Date: September 2011
Buyer/Investor: Chico’s FAS Inc.
Target: Boston Proper Inc.
Business: Retailer
Value: US$205m
Details: Cash acquisition of the Boca Raton based retailer by NYSE listed Chico’s
Date: October 2011
Buyer/Investor: Bosideng International Holdings
Target: Talent Shine Limited & Sunny Bright Global Investments
Business: Mid to high end ladies wear brands
Value: US$140m
Details: Acquisition of Jessie brand to extend in non-down apparel by China’s largest producer of down apparel
Date: September 2011
Buyer/Investor: The Gores Group
Target: Mexx
Business: Clothing and accessories
Value: US$85m plus 18.75% stake
Details: Liz Claiborne sells loss making Mexx to a private equity house in a joint venture deal. Mexx was bought in 2001 for US$264m.
Date: September 2011
Buyer/Investor: Tommy Hilfiger
Target: Arvind Murjani Brands Pvte Ltd
Business: Indian sub-licensee of the Hilfiger brand
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Hilfiger buys out Murjani Group for a 50% stake in joint venture representing Hilfiger products in India
Date: September 2011
Buyer/Investor: JC Penney
Target: Liz Claiborne & Monet brands
Business: women's wear brands
Value: US$328m (including sales to Bluestar Alliance and Kohl's Corp)
Details: Liz Claiborne disposes of a number of brands to concentrate on three core brands.
Date: September 2011
Buyer/Investor: Bluestar Alliance
Target: Kensie, Kensiegirl and Mac and Jac brands
Business: women's wear brands
Value:
Details: Liz Claiborne disposes of a number of brands to concentrate on three core brands.
Date: August 2011
Buyer/Investor: Van de Velde
Target: Rigby & Peller
Business: Lingerie
Value: GBP8m
Details: Purchase of an 87% stake. The Kenton family, the previous owners, will retain a minority stake and board positions.
Date: August 2011
Buyer/Investor: Sue Townsend
Target: Ethel Austin
Business: Fashion chain retailer
Value: GBP1.5m
Details: The third time Ethel Austin is rescued from administration in the last three years.
Date: August 2011
Buyer/Investor: Camilla Al Fayed (daughter of Mohamed Al Fayed)
Target: Issa
Business: Luxury fashion brand
Value: undisclosed
Details: Camilla Al Fayed has bought a controlling stake in luxury label Issa, famous for its dresses as worn by the Duchess of Cambridge
Date: August 2011
Buyer/Investor: Mohamed Al Fayed
Target: Cocosa
Business: Discount designer retailer
Value: undisclosed
Details: The Al Fayed Family Trusts has set up a new company Cocoa Lifestyle Limited and bought the members-only website from media group, Bauer Media
Date: July 2011
Buyer/Investor: Blackstone
Target: Jack Wolfskin
Business: Outdoor wear and footwear
Value: $994m
Details: New private equity ownership will mark the start of international expansion
Date: July 2011
Buyer/Investor: Kellwood
Target: Scotch and soda
Business: Fashion brand
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Kellwood makes the acquisition of the Amsterdam based brand along with private equity firm, Sun Capital Partners.
Date: July 2011
Buyer/Investor: Sports Direct
Target: USC
Business: Branded fashion chain
Value: £7m
Details: Sports Direct will own 80% of the chain. Sir Tom Hunter will remain an investor.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: Mohammed al Fayed
Target: Cocosa
Business: Private sale luxury fashion and accessories etailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: A return to retailing for the former owner of Harrods.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: Edinburgh Woollen Mills
Target: Jane Norman
Business: Fashion retail chain
Value: Undisclosed
Details: This pre packaged administration sale sees 33 of the 94 Jane Norman stores sold.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: Tiger Global
Target: Alexandalexa.com
Business: Luxury children's wear etailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: The investment from Tiger Global values the company at £16m.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: Genesco
Target: Schuh Group
Business: UK footwear chain
Value: £100m
Details: The existing management team of Schuh are expected to remain in place following the acquisition.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: Carter
Target: Bonnie Togs
Business: Children's wear
Value: Up to $98m
Details: US children's wear specialist acquires Canadian licensee.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: VF Corporation
Target: Timberland
Business: Outdoor wear and footwear
Value: £1.2bn
Details: VF Corporation has made an agreed offer, subject to shareholder approval.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: Labelux
Target: Belstaff
Business: Outdoor wear
Value: £97m
Details: Privately owned Swiss company acquires another brand hard on the heels of the Jimmy Choo acquisition.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor: Reuben brothers
Target: Blue Inc.
Business: Fashion chain
Value: £2m
Details: The Reuben brothers are understood to have acquire a stake in Blue Inc.
Date: June 2011
Buyer/Investor : Jones Group
Target: Kurt Geiger
Business: Footwear
Value: £215m
Details: Jones Group bought a majority stake. Graphite Capital was the previous investor backing the £95m MBO in 2008. Management will remain in place.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: JD Sports
Target: Peter Werth
Business: Menswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: JD Sports bought the brand, together with the Pink Soda brand, from the administrator of Brand Acquisitions.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: Steve Madden Group
Target: Cejon
Business: Cold weather accessories
Value: $30m + earn out
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor : Labelux
Target: Jimmy Choo
Business: Premium footwear
Value: £500m
Details: Labelux bought from Towerbrook Partners which paid £185m in 2007 to acquire Jimmy Choo. The management team (including Tamara Mellon) will remain in the business.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: Steve Madden Group
Target: Topline Corporation
Business: Footwear design, production ansd marketing
Value: $55m + earn out
Details: Topline supplies mainly to specialty retailers and department stores. Topline owned brands include Report.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: Roman Originals
Target: Frank Usher, Dusk, Coterie and Michel Ambers brands
Business: Occasionwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Roman Originals acquired the brands from the administrator of CDU, which went into administration in April 2011.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: Lion Capital and Goode Partners
Target: AllSaints
Business: Womenswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Lion Capital (owner of La Senza) and Goode Partners acquired the stakes of Icelandic banks. Reports suggest that the deal values All Saints at £100m.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: BC Partners
Target: Gruppo Coin SpA
Business: Apparel retailer and manufacturer
Value: $1.05bn
Details: BC Partners acquires a 78.7% stake in Italy's largest fashion retailer.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: PPR
Target: Volcom
Business: US active apparel brand
Value: $607m
Details: French fashion group PPR expects the transaction to close in autumn 2011.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: Magenta Partners
Target: JoJo Maman Bébé
Business: Maternity retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: The principal investors in Magenta Partners are the family trusts of New Look founder Tom Singh.
Date: May 2011
Buyer/Investor: Puig
Target: Jean-Paul Gaultier
Business: Fashion house
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Puig is the Spanish parent company of brands Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci and Paco Rabanne and has acquired a majority stake in Gaultier. Jean-Paul Gaultier will retain a 40% stake.
Date: April 2011
Buyer/Investor : Snow Phipps Group
Target: Velvet
Business: Premium womenswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: First transaction in fashion for private equity firm Snow Phipps.
Date: April 2011
Buyer/Investor: Blue Inc
Target: Officers Club (in administration)
Business: Young fashion
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Blue Inc will acquire up to 47 stores and the Petroleum Chain.
Date: March 2011
Buyer/Investor: Management
Target: TJ Hughes
Business: Discount department store chain
Value: Not disclosed
Details: European private equity house, Silverfleet Capital, has sold discount department store chain TJ Hughes to its management for an undisclosed sum. The management team, led by recently appointed chief executive Beatrice Lafon, received financial backing from British private equity firm Endless.
Date: March 2011
Buyer/Investor: Palamon Capital Partners
Target: Dress-for-Less
Business: Fashion brands etailer
Value: Not disclosed
Details: Palamon Capital Partners has sold Dress-for-Less, based in Germany, to private equity backed Privalia Venta Directa. Privalia, established in Spain, is backed by General Atlantic, Index Ventures and Highland Capital Partners.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Bestseller
Target: ASOS
Business: etailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Danish business Bestseller has increased its stake in 20.3%. Bestseller owns brands including Jack & Jones and Vero Moda.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Kerten Private Equity
Target: Bucuruk Tekstil
Business: children’s wear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Kerten specialises in investments in Central and Eastern European businesses
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Morrisons
Target: Kiddicare
Business: Children’s wear and product etailer
Value: £70m
Details: UK supermarket chain makes its first acquisition in developing an online offering.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Aeffe
Target: Pollinin
Business: Footwear
Value: $1.6mUndisclosed
Details: Aeffe acquires from York srl the 28% shareholding not already owned by it in Pollini. Aeffe the Italina luxury goods business owns brands including Alberta Ferretti, Moschino and JP Gaultier.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Hugo Boss
Target: Hugo Boss franchise stores
Business: Menswear retailer
Value: £16.5M
Details: Moss Bros sold its 15 Hugo Boss franchised stores in the UK to Hugo Boss. Hugo Boss will pay £4.2m up front for the franchised stores, with the remaining £12.3m deferred in instalments upon the transfer of leases, which are expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Myer
Target: Sass & Bide
Business: Luxury womenswear
Value: AUD42.3M (£26.5M)
Details: Australian department store chain Myer has bought a 65% stake in luxury womenswear label Sass & Bide.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Supergroup
Target: CNC Collections BVBA
Business: Franchise and distribution
Value: €40M (£33.7M)
Details: Supergroup, the owner of the Superdry label, has bought CNC Collections, its Benelux and French franchisee and distributor, to help drive international expansion. Supergroup will pay €7m up front in cash for CNC Collections, and a further €21m in newly issued shares. The remaining balance of €12m will also be paid in share capital, subject to performance targets related to store openings and sales growth, over the next three years.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: TowerBrook Capital Partners
Target: Phase Eight
Business: Womenswear retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: International investment management firm, TowerBrook Capital Partners, has made an investment in Phase Eight taking a “significant” stake in the UK-based womenswear retailer. The value of the deal was not disclosed, but reports have suggested it to be around £80M (€96M). Phase Eight is owned by a consortium of investors led by defunct Icelandic bank Kaupthing, and has 82 stores and 125 concessions in the UK, many of them inside department stores Debenhams and John Lewis. The company had been looking for a capital boost to refinance its senior debt.
Date: February 2011
Buyer/Investor: Selfridges Group
Target: de Bijenkorf
Business: Department store
Value: undisclosed
Details: Selfridges Group which owns department store chain Selfridges, Irish department store Brown Thomas and Canadian department store business Holt Renfrew, has completed its acquisition of Dutch luxury department store chain de Bijenkorf.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Macintosh Retail Group
Target: Jones Bootmaker
Business: Footwear
Value: approx. £40M
Details: Alfred Jones and his wife Emma set up A. Jones & Sons in 1857 making Jones Bootmaker one of the high street's oldest shoe shop chains Dutch retail giant, Macintosh Retail Group has acquired Jones Bootmaker after a five-month sale process. Macintosh owns the Brantano chain, which it bought in 2008. With Jones Bootmaker, the Dutch group will become the third largest shoe specialist in the UK.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Alven Capital
Target: Smallable
Business: children’s wear etailer
Value: €2m
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: MMC Ventures
Target: AlexandAlexa.com
Business: children’s wear etailer
Value: £1.5m
Details: Acquisition of a significant minority stake by MMC Ventures
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Apax Partners
Target: Takko Fashion
Business: Value clothing retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Purchase from private equity owner Advent International. Takko has around 1,500 branches in 15 European countries.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Kellwood
Target: Rebecca Taylor brand
Business: Sportswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Another addition to the growing stable of brands owned by Kellwood.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Irving Place Capital
Target: Dots
Business: Women’s fashion retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Dots has more than 400 stores in 26 states in the US
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Totes-Isotoner
Target: Acorn Products
Business: Slippers & comfort footwear
Value: Undisclosed
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Perry Ellis International lnc
Target: Rafaella Apparel Group
Business: Women’s sportswear
Value: $70m
Details: Purchase from private equity owner Cerberus Capital Management
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: 3i
Target: Hobbs
Business: Women’s wear
Value: £14m
Details: 3i continues to own just over 80% of Hobbs
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Manchester Square Enterprises
Target: Sarah Coggles
Business: etailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Manchester Square Enterprises, part of the Pentland Group has made a reported multi million pound investment in Sarah Coggles.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Target Corporation
Target: Zellers
Business: Discount chain
Value: $1.83bn
Details: First acquisition for Target outside the US sees 220 stores acquired in Cananda. Zellers is a subsidiary of the Hudson’s Bay Co.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Peter Lucas and Arafa Holding
Target: Suits You stores
Business: Mens’ apparel
Value: undisclosed
Details: The former owners of collapsed menswear chain Suits You, Peter Lucas and Arafa Holding, have acquired 12 of its 66 stores through their menswear supply business, Baird Group, and have re-launched them as Suit Direct.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Sir Tom Hunter
Target: Cruise
Business: Apparel
Value: undisclosed
Details: Scotland’s richest man, Sir Tom Hunter, has acquired the business and assets of Cruise Fashion from administrators Deloitte and announced the formation of a joint venture with Middlesbrough-based fashion retailer Van Mildert to ‘maximise opportunities in the luxury fashion industry’. The Sir Tom Hunter paid for the business and assets of Cruise was undisclosed but is understood to be in the region of £6 million.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Bestseller
Target: Asos
Business: etailer including apparel
Value: undisclosed
Details: Danish brands house Bestseller has increased its stake in etailer Asos taking the Danish retailer’s holdings in Asos over 17%.
Date: January 2011
Buyer/Investor: Daniel Footwear
Target: Rojo Shoes
Business: etailer including apparel
Value: undisclosed
Details: Footwear mini chain Daniel Footwear has acquired footwear retailer Rojo Shoes, using £700,000 in funding from Barclays Corporate
Date: November 2010
Buyer/Investor: Prodos Capital and Salmar Shipping
Target: Gianfranco Ferré, ITC and Nuova Andrea Fashion, as well as Gianfranco Ferré UK.
Business: Luxury fashion brand
Value: undisclosed
Details: Purchased from IT Holding SpA
Date: November 2010
Buyer/Investor: Albisetti SpA
Target: Ittierre businesses
Business: Licensed manufacture and distribution, including Just Cavalli and Galliano
Value: undisclosed
Details: Purchased from IT HoldingSpA
Date: November 2010
Buyer/Investor: Li & Fung
Target: Oxford Apparel
Business: Men’s wear in US
Value: US$121.7million
Details: Business sold to LF USA, a subsidiary of Li & Fung
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Riverside Company
Target: Arena Group
Business: Swimwear business in Italy
Value: undisclosed
Details: Acquired from BS Private Equity
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Beringea
Target: Monica Vinader
Business: Fashion jewellery brand
Value: undisclosed
Details: Beringea has made an undisclosed investment in this UK brand.
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Hut Group
Target: Lookfantastic
Business: health & beauty etailer
Value: £14.9million (€17.36million)
Details: Hut Group is backed by Balderton Capital
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Billabong
Target: 38 stores from the General Pants Group
Business: boardsport retail outlets
Value: undisclosed
Details: Stores in Australasia including the Surf Dive 'n' Ski (SDS) and Jetty Surf retail banners
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Warnaco
Target: L'Innominato S.p.A, a part of the Percassi Group
Business: 22 Calvin Klein stores
Value: undisclosed
Details: This makes Italy Warnaco’s largest European market
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Bain Capital
Target: Gymboree
Business: Children’s wear
Value: US$1.8billion
Details: Agreed tender offer for Gymboree stock in US take private deal, expected to close by year end if successful
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Hat World
Target: Sports Avenue
Business: Sportswear retailer with 48 stores and 12 ecommerce sites
Value: undisclosed
Details: Genesco owned Hat World operates the LIDS sports business
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Silverfleet Capital
Target: Schneider Versand Holding GmbH
Business: German catalogue and on-line retailer selling fashion, lifestyle and promotional products
Value: undisclosed
Details: This is a secondary buyout from Barclays Private Equity.
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Consortium of investors
Target: China Vogue
Business: Casual sportswear in China
Value: US$45million
Details: Investor consortium includes TPG, Partners Group and existing shareholders ARC China.
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: IC Companys
Target: By Malene Birger
Business: Fashion brand
Value: undisclosed
Details: Danish fashion group IC Companys buys the 49% of BY Malene Birger which it does not already own.
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy
Target: Hermes International
Business: Luxury scarves, shoes and bags
Value: €1.45billion (US$2billion)
Details: LVMH acquires a 17.1% stake in Hermes.
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Net-a-Porter
Target: Koodos.com
Business: Discount fashion etailer
Value: undisclosed
Details: Net-a-Porter, the luxury etailer, has acquired the assets of discount fashion etailer Koodos.com from the E-trader Group following which Koodos has been put into the hands of administrators. Net-a-Porter’s own discounted etail offer The Outnet, has acquired Koodos’ trademarks, domain name and customer database.
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Belinda Dickson
Target: Boudiche
Business: Female lingerie
Value: undisclosed
Details: Scottish lingerie independent Boudiche has been acquired by Scottish knitwear designer Belinda Dickson for an undisclosed amount.
Date: October 2010
Buyer/Investor: Darwin Private Equity
Target: Fenn Wright Manson
Business: Female fashion wear
Value: undisclosed
Details: Darwin Private Equity, the London-based lower-mid-market firm, has acquired British female fashionwear brand Fenn Wright Manson for an undisclosed sum.
Date: September 2010
Buyer/Investor: Steve Madden
Target: Bakers footwear
Business: Young women’s footwear
Value: $5 million
Details: Steve Madden, a supplier to Bakers, has invested debt and equity for a near 20% stake
Date: September 2010
Buyer/Investor: LDC
Target: Mountain Warehouse
Business: Outdoor wear
Value: undisclosed
Details: LDC acquired a near 23% stake from Icelandic investor Kcaj and which values Mountain Warehouse at around £50 million
Date: September 2010
Buyer/Investor: K. Vidler & N Majeethia
Target: Deviant Rocks
Business: T shirts
Value: £125,000
Details: Ex CEO of Americana International, Vidler and director of Cheeky Monkey, Majeethia acquired a 20% stake with an option to acquire a further 20%
Date: September 2010
Buyer/Investor: Prada
Target: Car Shoe
Business: Footwear and accessories brand
Value: undisclosed
Details: Prada acquired the 45% of Car Shoe which it did not already own.
Date: September 2010
Buyer/Investor: Actis
Target: Vlisco Group
Business: Designer wax fashion fabric
Value: undisclosed
Details: Private equity Investor acquired Vlisco, a business serving primarily West and Central Africa
Date: August 2010
Buyer/Investor: ISIS Private Equity
Target: GettingPersonal.co.uk
Business: Personalised gift etailer
Value: £4 million
Details: ISIS invested through its Baronsmead VCTs
Date: August 2010
Buyer/Investor: Men’s Warehouse
Target: Dimensions Clothing & Alexandra plc
Business: Corporate apparel
Value: £61 million
Details: Men’s Warehouse bought Dimensions Clothing and parts of Alexandra with the new combined UK business to be owned 86% by Men’s Warehouse and 14% by certain Dimensions shareholders.
Date: August 2010
Buyer/Investor: Harris Associates
Target: JJB Sports
Business: sports and fashion retailer
Value: undisclosed
Details: US investment bank Harris Associates increased its holding to 17.9% to become the largest shareholder in JJB.
Date: August 2010
Buyer/Investor: Arta Capital and L Capital
Target: Pepe Jeans
Business: Fashion brand
Value: €85 million
Details: The management team of Pepe Jeans and Torreal have agreed to sell a 27.9% stake.
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Exclusive footwear
Target: Breeze footwear
Business: footwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Exclusive Footwear will relaunch the York footwear store under the Exclusive Footwear fascia in late August
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Rakuten
Target: Buy.com
Business: etailer including apparel
Value: undisclosed
Details: Rakuten is Japan’s leading internet retailer. Buy.com achieved sales of $3.2bn in 2009
Date: August 2010
Buyer/Investor: Index Ventures & Greylock Parners
Target: Notonthehighstreet.com
Business: fashion etailer
Value: £7.5 million
Details: Further investment by to develop the online business founded in 2006
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: K-Swiss
Target: Form Athletics
Business: Mixed martial arts brand
Value: undisclosed
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Aydinli Group
Target: Cacharel
Business: Fashion Brand
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Rights to menswear brand sold to licensee. Outlet stores in France and Italy sold to separate buyers.
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Advent Venture Partners
Target: Farfetch.com
Business: Etailer
Value: £3m
Details: Venture capital investment for further development of website for independent boutiques worldwide.
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: MMC Ventures
Target: E-Trader
Business: Etailer
Value: £2m
Details: Second round funding to develop online fashion site Koodos
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Tim Little
Target: Genson
Business: Footwear
Value: undisclosed
Details: Tim Little, Genson's creative director has been bought the Genson brand from its chairman Christian Purslow.
Date:July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Balderton Capital (lead investor)
Target:My-Wardrobe
Business:Premium etailer
Value:$9m
Details: Venture capital investment in etailer led by Balderton
Date:July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Billabong
Target:West49
Business:Actionsports retailer
Value:$93.5m
Details: Billabong buys one of its retail partners in Canada
Date: July 2010
Buyer/Investor: Debenhams
Target:Faith
Business:Footwear
Value:undisclosed
Details: Debenhams has acquired 115 Faith concessions from administrator Mazars after the chain went into administration in April .
Date: June 2010
Buyer/Investor: TPG Capital
Target: Republic
Business: Young fashion chain
Value: not disclosed but reported to be £300 million
Details: Republic is expected to benefit from significant investment by its new owners, who wish to expand on its 103 stores in the UK.
Date: June 2010
Buyer/Investor: Beales
Target: Robbs of Hexam
Business: Department store
Value: £250,000
Details: Beales have purchased Robbs of Hexam from MCR, the administrators of The Vergo Retail group, which went into administration last month
Date: June 2010
Buyer/Investor: N Brown
Target: Figleaves
Business: On line lingerie retailer
Value: £11.5 million
Date: June 2010
Buyer/Investor: Rhone
Target: Quicksilver
Business: Boardsports brand
Value: $75 million
Details: Private equity house Rhone has agreed a debt equity swap for $75m of debt which will give it 24.8% of the shares in Quicksilver.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: Shandong Ruyi Science & Technology Group Co.
Target: Renown Inc
Business: Brand owner
Value: $44.2 million
Details: This sale makes Shandong the largest shareholder in Renown with a 41% stake. Renown has been restructuring and has cut 16 of its 62 brands, including the sale of Aquascutum last year. Shandong will help Renown extend into the Chinese market.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: IPO
Target: Express
Business: Fashion Retailer
Value: $167 million
Details: Express has 573 stores in the US and is looking to raise $167 million in the IPO.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: Management buy out
Target: Phase Eight
Business: Women’s wear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Sale of the 49% stake previously owned by Kaupthing Bank. Investors include Kew Capital which invests on behalf of Russian billionaires Alexnader Abromov and Alexander Frolov.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: Blue Gem Capital Partners
Target: Liberty
Business: Department Store
Value: £32 million
Details: Liberty is a landmark London store.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: New and existing shareholders
Target: Alexon
Business: Women’s wear
Value: £20.3 million
Details: Capital raising by Alexon with 61.6% of the capital coming from new shareholders.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: TPG Inc & Bain Capital
Target: Lilliput Kidswear Limited
Business: Kids wear
Value: $86 million
Details: Lilliput makes kids wear for retailers including Gap & next plus 240 of its own stores in India.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: Jones Apparel
Target: Stuart Weitzman Holdings
Business: Women’s salon footwear
Value: c$180 million plus earn out
Details: Sale of 55% of the Group with Stuart Weitzman retaining 45%.
Date: May 2010
Buyer/Investor: Qatar Holding (the investment arm of the emirate's sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority)
Target: Harrods
Business: Luxury retailing
Value: £1.5 billion
Details: Harrods, the world famous department store, has been sold for more than £1.5bn to the Qatari royal family. Mohamed al-Fayed, the Egyptian owner, will retire and hand over the reins to Qatar Holding – although he will stay on as honorary chairman.
Date: April 2010
Buyer/Investor: Life & Style Retail Ltd
Target: Ethel Austin Ltd
Business: Clothing retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Administrator MCR sold the 90 store value retailer to Life & Style Retail Ltd, a new company set up by former owner of Ethel Austin, Elaine McPherson
Date: April 2010
Buyer/Investor: BPW Acquisition Corp
Target: The Talbots Inc
Business: Clothing retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Talbots has completed its merger deal with BPW Acquisition Corp, a special purchase acquisition company
Date: April 2010
Buyer/Investor: TA Associates
Target: Cath Kidson Ltd
Business: Textiles retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: American buyout firm, TA Associates, has acquired a majority stake in Cath Kidston in a deal believed to value the company at £100m. Founder, Cath Kidston, retains a substantial stake in the business and will continue her current role as creative director.
Date: April 2010
Buyer/Investor: Richemont
Target: Net-A- Porter.com
Business: Luxury fashion online retailer
Value: approx. £50 million
Details: Founder of Net-A- Porter.com , Natalie Massenet, has sold her stake in the company to the luxury goods business Richemont, the owner of Cartier and Montblanc in a deal valuing the company at £350m.
Date: March 2010
Buyer/Investor: MBO supported by Piper Private Equity
Target: Weird Fish
Business: Wholesale clothing
Value: £8 million
Details: Weird Fish managing director, John Stockton, has led a management buy out of the ethical lifestyle brand supported by £8 million of funding by Piper Private Equity. Piper Private Equity now has a majority stake in the business.
Date: March 2010
Buyer/Investor: Existing and new institutional investors
Target: Hot Tuna
Business: Surf wear brand
Value: £1.5 million
Details: The AIM quoted company raised £1.5m through an equity placing with new and existing investors including the directors.
Date: March 2010
Buyer/Investor: Institutional and retail investors
Target: SuperGroup
Business: Owner of the Superdry brand
Value: £125 million
Details: £125 million fundraising and listing on the main market of London Stock Exchange plc. SuperGroup plc raised £120m from institutional investors and £5m from retail investors, pricing the company at £395 million.
Date: March 2010
Buyer/Investor: Consortium of private equity investors
Target: Envy Retail Limited
Business: Clothing retailer
Value: undisclosed
Details: The Envy business, which was owned by FEC Holdings Limited, has been sold to a consortium of private equity investors including SKG Capital boss Chris Althorp-Gormlay
Date: March 2010
Buyer/Investor: Phillips Van-Heusen
Target: Tommy Hilfiger
Business: Fashion brand
Value: €2.47bn
Details: Acquisition from Apax Partners for €2.2bn in cash and €276m in share. Estimated to be a return of €1.2bn for Apax from its four years of ownership.
Date: March 2010
Buyer/Investor: OpenGate Capital
Target: Nicole Farhi brand
Business: Fashion brand
Value: c£5m
Details: Sale by French Connection of the brand to US private equity house. Nicole Farhi will continue as creative director.
Date: February 2010
Buyer/Investor: Vendis Capital
Target:ZEB
Business: Retail chain
Value: €7.6m
Details: Acquisition of stake in Belgian retail chain. First investment by newly formed Vendis.
Date: February 2010
Buyer/Investor: Li & Fung (1937) Ltd
Target: Visage Group Ltd
Business: Clothing supplier
Value: up to £173m
Details: Acquisition by the Li & Fung Group to establish European foothold. Initial purchase price around £57.5m plus a performance based sum of up to £115.5m
Date: February 2010
Buyer/Investor: Windsong Brands LLC
Target:Cloudveil Mountain Works
Business: Outdoor apparel brand
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition from Spyder Active Sports Inc. Jim Reilly, who has served as CEO of Cloudveil and COO of The North Face is an investor in the business along with Windsong and will lead the company as president.
Date: February 2010
Buyer/Investor: Andrew Gerrie
Target: Mambo brand
Business: Surf wear
Value: $1.3m
Details: Acquisition of the brand from Blacks Leisure.
Date: February 2010
Buyer/Investor: EBI Apparel Limited
Target: Ballet Limited
Business: Lingerie Company
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition by own majority shareholder, EBI Apparel
Date: February 2010
Buyer/Investor: Monomoy Capital Partners LP
Target:Casual Living USA Inc
Business: Direct mail and online women’s wear retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: First add-on acquisition for Monomoy’s Boston Apparel Group platform.
Date: January 2010
Buyer/Investor: Equibox Holding
Target: Fashion Box
Business: Replay brand
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Equibox now holds 60% of Fashion Box.
Date: January 2010
Buyer/Investor: Kellwood
Target: Isis
Business: Women’s performance and casual wear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition. Kellwood existing brands include Vince, Baby Phat and SAG Harbor
Date: January 2010
Buyer/Investor: Collective Licensing International
Target: Above the Rim
Business: Urban basketball brand
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of the brand from Reebok International.
Date: January 2010
Buyer/Investor: Deborah Meaden
Target: Fox Brothers
Business: Textile supplier to Saville Row
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Increased minority stake to a controlling stake.
Date: January 2010
Buyer/Investor: Basicnet
Target:Anzi&Besson
Business: Skiwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of 50% of the brand.
Date: December 2009
Buyer/Investor: Billabong
Target:Surfstitch
Business: Online boardsports retail
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of stake with option to buy 100%.
Date: November 2009
Buyer/Investor: E-traders
Target: Koodos.com
Business: Online surplus stock
Value: Undisclosed
Details: E-traders is backed by vc firm Elderstreet
Date: November 2009
Buyer/Investor: Target:Rue 21
Business: Fashion Retailer
Value: $29m expected proceeds
Details: IPO on Nasdaq
Date: November 2009
Buyer/Investor: Debenhams
Target: Magasin du Nord
Business: Department store chain
Value: $20.3m
Details: Department store chain in Denmark
Date: October 2009
Buyer/Investor: Institutional buyer
Target: Debenhams
Business: Retailer
Value: c£97m
Details: Sale by Texas Pacific Group of its remaining stake.
Date: October 2009
Buyer/Investor: Iconix Brand Group
Target:Ecko portfolio of brands
Business: Lifestyle brands
Value: $63.5m
Details: Acquisition of a controlling interest.
Date: September 2009
Buyer/Investor: Habib Alvi Investments
Target: JHS Childrenswear
Business: Childrenswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: JHS Childrenswear is the company behind the kidswear chain Adams and brand Mini Mode.
Date: September 2009
Buyer/Investor: N Brown
Target: High & Mighty
Business: Outsize menswear
Value: £1.6m
Details: Purchase of assets in a pre-pack administration deal.
Date: September 2009
Buyer/Investor: William and Jonathan Church
Target: Joseph Cheaney
Business: Shoemaker
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Purchase from Prada. The buyers have left Prada which controls Church & Co, shoemakers.
Date: September 2009
Buyer/Investor: Harold Tillman and Belinda Earl
Target: Aquascutum
Business: Outerwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Purchase from Japanese owner, Renown. Purchase terms not disclosed.
Date: August 2009
Buyer/Investor: JD Sports
Target: Canterbury brand
Business: Rugby focussed sportswear
Value: £6.5m
Details: Acquisition from Kuwait Finance House
Date: August 2009
Buyer/Investor: New Era Cap Co
Target: 5th & Ocean
Business: Sports & fashion apparel
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of Miami based business
Date: August 2009
Buyer/Investor: Advent International
Target:Charlotte Russe
Business: Teen & young women’s wear retailer
Value: $380m
Details: A take private acquisition by a private equity buyer.
Date: August 2009
Buyer/Investor: Golden Gate Capital
Target: Eddie Bauer
Business: Outerwear retailer
Value: $286m
Details: Success at bankruptcy auction
Date: July 2009
Buyer/Investor: The Finish Line
Target:Man Alive
Business: Urban apparel business
Value: $7m paid to the buyer.
Details: Taking control of 75 retail stores under both the Man Alive and Decibel names.
Date: July 2009
Buyer/Investor: Amazon
Target: Zappos.com
Business: Online apparel & footwear seller
Value: c$850m
Details: Acquisition for Amazon stock and cash
Date: July 2009
Buyer/Investor: Levi Strauss & Co
Target:DC Company
Business: Footwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Levi’s brings its footwear and accessories business in-house.
Date: July 2009
Buyer/Investor: Shop Direct
Target: Woolworths and Ladybird brands
Business: Childrenswear
Value: £12million
Details: Brands relaunched as online only.
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: Moretti Polegato family
Target:Diadora
Business: Sportswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of the brand.
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: Theo Fennell, Rupert Hambro and Alasdair Hadden-Paton
Target:Theo Fennell
Business: Jewellers
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Buyers now hold 29.9% of Theo Fennell
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: ABC-Mart
Target: United Arrows
Business: Japanese fashion retailer
Value: JPY6.57bn (US$68m)
Details: Acquisition of a 23.3% stake
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: Amery Capital
Target:Oliver Sweeney
Business: Footwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Purchase out of administration
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: Syms and developer Vornado Realty Trust
Target: Filene’s Basement
Business: Cut price apparel retailer
Value: $62.4m
Details: The bid covers the leases for 23 Filene's Basement stores, along with the defunct company's trade name, inventory and distribution centre.
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: Dress Barn Inc
Target: Tween Brands Inc
Business: Teens fashion retailer
Value: c$157m
Details: Stock swap deal
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: Jill Acquisition (an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital)
Target: J Jill
Business: Womenswear retailer
Value: c$67m
Details: Acquisition of assets including 205 of the existing 279 J Jill brand store leases
Date: June 2009
Buyer/Investor: Jones Apparel Group Inc
Target: GRI Group Limited
Business: Footwear and accessories
Value: $15m
Details: For a 15% interest. Jones Apparel now owns a 25% stake.
Date: May 2009
Buyer/Investor: Iconix Brand Group Inc
Target: Ed Hardy
Business: Tatoo themed streetware
Value: $17m
Details: Acquisition of a 50% stake.
Date: May 2009
Buyer/Investor: LVMH
Target:Edun
Business: Ethical fashion
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of a minority stake in business owned by Ali Hewson and husband Bono
Date: May 2009
Buyer/Investor: Synova Capital
Target:Nica
Business: Handbags
Value: £10-15m (estimate)
Details: Investor owns rival Fiorelli brand
Date: May 2009
Buyer/Investor: AC Desarrollo, the private equity division of Spanish savings bank Ahorro Corporación
Target:Musgo
Business: Spanish decoration, fashion and gift chain
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Increase in stake to 87.5%
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Nur Die Group
Target: Vatter
Business: Hosiery & intimate apparel
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Nur Die Group is a subsidiary of DBApparel, an affiliated portfolio company of Sun European Partners.
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Fireman Capital Partners and Webster Capital
Target: Hudson Jeans
Business: Upmarket denim company
Value: c$30m
Details: Acquisition of controlling stake
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Delta Galil Industries Ltd
Target:Gibor Sports Active Wear Ltd
Business: Sportswear manufacturer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Supplier of performance socks to Nike
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: KSL Ventures
Target: Triumph Apparel
Business: Dance and active wear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of a controlling stake.
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Amanda Wakely
Target:Amanda Wakely business
Business: Womenswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Acquisition of the business after having acquired the brand earlier in 2009.
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Destination Maternity Corporation
Target/Newco: Mahindra Retail
Area & Country: Maternity-wear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Destination Maternity Corporation is planning expansion into India through an international franchise agreement with Mahindra Retail, part of the Mahindra Group.
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Skechers USA Inc
Target/Newco: Viva International Group
Area & Country: Eyewear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Skechers USA Inc has signed a global licensing deal with Viva International Group to create Skechers-branded sunglasses and prescription eyewear.
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Bates Footwear
Target/Newco: US Army
Area & Country: Footwear
Value: US$13m
Details: Bates Footwear has been awarded a US$13m contract to manufacture 165,000 pairs of the company's Temperate Weather Combat Boots for the US Army.
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: Fireman Capital Partners and Webster Capital
Target/Newco: Hudson Jeans
Area & Country: Jeans
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Fireman Capital has partnered with Webster Capital to buy a controlling stake in upmarket denim company Hudson Jeans.
Date: April 2009
Buyer/Investor: True Religion
Target/Newco: United Legwear Company
Area & Country: Legwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: True Religion has signed a new licensing agreement for United Legwear Company to manufacture and distribute True Religion branded legwear.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Apax Partners
Target/Newco: Tommy Hilfiger North America
Area & Country: Clothing Retailer
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Tommy Hilfiger is set to merge its operations in the US and Canada to create a new business unit in a move to consolidate its business structure.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Aurora Fashions
Target/Newco: Warehouse, Oasis, Coast, Karen Millen and Anoushka G
Area & Country: Womanswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Mosaic Fashions has sold some of its UK fashion chains in an attempt to secure its future within the retail industry.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Dune
Target/Newco: Shoe Studio
Area & Country: Footwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Shoe Studio Group's six brands including Pied a Terre, Bertie, Nine West and Roberto Vianni, as well as more than 300 department store concessions has been sold to Dune in an attempt to buy Shoe Studio out of administration.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: VF Corporation
Target/Newco: Mo Industries Holdings, Inc. (owner of Splendid® and Ella Moss®)
Area & Country: Sportswear
Value: US$161m
Details: VF has acquired the remaining two-thirds of the capital stock of Mo Industries, owner of the Splendid® and Ella Moss®.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Calvin Klein Inc.
Target/Newco: Premium Gold Brands
Area & Country: Sports Equipment
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Calvin Klein Inc has signed a multi-year global licensing agreement with Irish firm Premium Golf Brands (PGB) to expand its Calvin Klein Golf line in the global golf market.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: American Apparel
Target/Newco: Lion Capital
Area & Country: US Fashion Retailer
Value: US$18m
Details: American Apparel Inc has sold an 18% stake in its business to British private equity firm Lion Capital for $80m, which it will use to pay off some of its debt.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Haggar Clothing Co
Target/Newco: Roytex Inc
Area & Country: Sportswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Haggar Clothing Co, maker of Haggar branded casual and dress apparel for men, has licensed Roytex Inc to make and market sportswear under the Haggar brand in North America.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Beaumanoir
Target/Newco: Morgan
Area & Country: Womanswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: French women's retail group Beaumanoir has been allowed by a Paris court to acquire fashion label Morgan, which went into administration last December.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Bang Overseas Ltd
Target/Newco: Aquarelle International
Area & Country: Menswear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Bang Overseas Ltd has entered into joint venture with Aquarelle International called Aquarelle India Pvt Ltd to make shirts and other garments in India for export and sale in the domestic market.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Kensie
Target/Newco: Camuto Group
Area & Country: Footwear
Value: Undisclosed
Details: Kensie has entered into an exclusive partnership with Camuto Group for a KensieGirl footwear range for young girls aged 14-24.
Date: March 2009
Buyer/Investor: Bestseller
Target/Newco: Bombay Rayon Fashion
Area & Country: India
Value: US$62.9m
Details: Bestseller, whose brands include Jack & Jones, Vero Moda and Only, has bought a 20% stake in Indian fabric and garment maker Bombay Rayon Fashion.
Date:
