The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
LONDON, United Kingdom — The Chinese owner of House of Fraser plans to sell its majority stake in the troubled British department store chain, adding to the upheaval on the UK's shopping streets.
Nanjing Xinjiekou Department Store Co. will sell its 51 percent holding to a tourism development company named Wuji Wenhua, according to a Chinese stock exchange filing Tuesday. The planned sale follows the collapse of Toys 'R' Us UK and electronics retailer Maplin in February.
The UK’s department stores have struggled amid the rise of online shopping and a surge in sourcing costs driven by the pound’s 7 percent fall against the dollar and 14 percent decline against the euro since the Brexit vote. Sports Direct International Plc Chief Executive Officer Mike Ashley this month increased his holding in Debenhams Plc, spurring speculation he may acquire the House of Fraser rival. Ashley also owns a minority stake in House of Fraser.
House of Fraser reported a 2.9 percent drop in sales over the holiday shopping season and has entered negotiations with landlords to reduce rents on some of its 59 UK stores. In the year ended January 2017 the company reported net income of £26.8 million ($37.1 million).
ADVERTISEMENT
Sanpower Group owns a 27.32 percent stake in Nanjing Xinjiekou, according to Bloomberg data. Sanpower acquired House of Fraser in 2014 in a deal that valued the chain at £450 million ($623 million).
By Sam Chambers, Rachel Chang; editors: Eric Pfanner, Thomas Mulier
The rental platform saw its stock soar last week after predicting it would hit a key profitability metric this year. A new marketing push and more robust inventory are the key to unlocking elusive growth, CEO Jenn Hyman tells BoF.
Nordstrom, Tod’s and L’Occitane are all pushing for privatisation. Ultimately, their fate will not be determined by whether they are under the scrutiny of public investors.
The company is in talks with potential investors after filing for insolvency in Europe and closing its US stores. Insiders say efforts to restore the brand to its 1980s heyday clashed with its owners’ desire to quickly juice sales in order to attract a buyer.
The humble trainer, once the reserve of football fans, Britpop kids and the odd skateboarder, has become as ubiquitous as battered Converse All Stars in the 00s indie sleaze years.