{"id":67875,"date":"2023-10-13T17:07:20","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T17:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/?p=67875"},"modified":"2023-10-13T17:07:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T17:07:20","slug":"high-street-fashion-chain-with-180-stores-across-the-uk-sold-to-next-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/lifestyle\/high-street-fashion-chain-with-180-stores-across-the-uk-sold-to-next-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"High street fashion chain with 180 stores across the UK sold to Next | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
A HIGH street fashion chain with 180 stores across the UK has been sold to Next.<\/p>\n
FatFace, the leading British lifestyle retailer, has been acquired by Next for the value of \u00a3115.2million.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It comes after FatFace's owners were reported to have appointed Rothschild to advise on strategic options in May last year.<\/p>\n
The company which operates online and out of 180 stores across the UK enjoyed strong sales growth during its last financial year.<\/p>\n
FatFace stores will continue to operate as a separate entity but shoppers can still buy the brand's clothing on the\u00a0Next\u00a0website.<\/p>\n
FatFace was founded by Tim Slade in 1988 selling T-shirts at the\u00a0French ski resort M\u00e9ribel\u00a0and opened its first\u00a0retail\u00a0store in\u00a0London\u00a0in 1993.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2007, FatFace was acquired, for \u00a3360 million, by private equity group Bridgepoint Capital.<\/p>\n But in 2020, Fat Face's lenders,\u00a0Lloyds Banking Group\u00a0and Goldman Sachs, took over the\u00a0business\u00a0from Bridgepoint and reduced its debts reducing debts by \u00a3146.8 million to \u00a325.6 million.<\/p>\n FatFace's profits tripled as the retailer continued its investment into expanding its store estate and strengthening third-party partnerships.<\/p>\n Profits for\u00a0the fashion retailer\u00a0skyrocketed 198% to \u00a317.3 million, up from \u00a35.8 million, in the 52 weeks to 27 May 2023.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The business also signed partnerships with Next and\u00a0Marks & Spencer\u00a0during the 2021\/22 financial year, which helped to boost sales.<\/p>\n The business also signed partnerships with Next and Marks & Spencer during the 2021\/22 financial year, which helped to boost sales.<\/p>\n FatFace's acquisition will add to Next's growing list of retail acquisitions and cement the group as one of the\u00a0most prolific buyers\u00a0of rival high street fashion chains.<\/p>\n Will Crumbie, CEO of FatFace commented: "This acquisition by Next today is an important next step in FatFace\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n "Having worked together for some time as a commercial partner, Next has recognised the strong foundations – and importantly – future potential for FatFace.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n "The acquisition is a testament to the hard work of our FatFace colleagues who have all done a terrific job of leading the business through the pandemic; building on the brand\u2019s strong heritage, quality product and fantastic customer service to emerge even stronger in recent years.<\/p>\n "We have great momentum. This is about helping us reach more customers \u2013 whether that be in the UK or internationally\u00a0–\u00a0and becoming a part of the Next family, with the backing of their Total Platform infrastructure, will help us achieve this."<\/p>\n It comes after Next announced in September it had become\u00a0the largest shareholder in Reiss\u00a0after it bought out private equity firm Warburg Pincus\u2019 interest for \u00a3128 million.<\/p>\n The fashion giant snapped up the Made.com brand, domain names and intellectual property for \u00a33.4 million after it was forced to appoint administrators back in November 2022.<\/p>\n Next started\u00a0selling Gap clothing online in late 2021, after it took over the running of the high street brand.<\/p>\n It then started selling Gap clothing in stores in early 2022.<\/p>\n It also agreed a sale to buy struggling lingerie brand\u00a0Victoria's Secret\u00a0in a move that saved its UK shops and website.<\/p>\n Earlier in 2022, it took a stake in baby and maternity clothing retailer JoJo Maman Bebe.<\/p>\n It was announced yesterday that\u00a0Made\u00a0will make a physical return to stores with a\u00a0new concession in one of Next's stores\u00a0which is set to launch in December.<\/p>\n<\/picture>CLOSING TIME <\/span><\/p>\n
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