ugc_banner

British luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo put up on sale

Reuters
London, United KingdomUpdated: Apr 25, 2017, 10:12 AM IST
main img
Jimmy Choo shares hit a record high, valuing the business at around $921 million. Photograph:(Reuters)

Story highlights

Last month Jimmy Choo reported a 15.7 per cent rise in annual core earnings to 59 million pounds. ||Jimmy Choo said Britain's takeover panel has agreed that any talks with third parties can be conducted within the context of a "formal sale process".

British luxury retailer Jimmy Choo has put itself up for sale to try to maximise shareholder value as majority investor JAB increases its focus on consumer goods.

Jimmy Choo, famous for its stiletto shoes and accessories, has discussed its plans with 68 per cent shareholder JAB, which supports the process as part of a move away from a luxury sector it now considers "non-core".

Jimmy Choo shares hit a record high, valuing the business at around $921 million.

Shares in Jimmy Choo, which floated on the London Stock Exchange at 140 pence in 2014, had increased 35 per cent over the last year prior to Monday's announcement. They rose as much as 11.3 per cent today, up 9.5 per cent at 185 pence.

"What remains to be seen is whether growing interest from Asia and the Middle-East for luxury UK brands, will see Jimmy Choo receiving offers from foreign buyers searching for well-known British brands," said Jonathan Buxton, partner and head of consumer at Cavendish Corporate Finance.

Last month Jimmy Choo reported a 15.7 per cent rise in annual core earnings to 59 million pounds, on revenue up 14.5 per cent.

JAB Luxury also said on Monday it was reviewing its ownership of Bally International, the Swiss luxury footwear and accessories company, clearing the way for a possible sale of that business too.

JAB Holdings, the investment vehicle of Germany's billionaire Reimann family, has been building up its coffee and food chains and agreed this month to buy bakery group Panera Bread for $7.2 billion.

JAB's luxury portfolio also includes British jacket brand Belstaff which could now be surplus to requirements. It indicated that it intended to retain its investment in beauty products maker Coty.

"JAB has, therefore, made the strategic decision to focus on its successful core businesses of consumer goods, including Coty Inc," it said, adding that it expects the review to complete in the second half of 2017.

Jimmy Choo said Britain's takeover panel has agreed that any talks with third parties can be conducted within the context of a "formal sale process". That enables talks with interested parties to take place on a confidential basis.

The firm said it is currently not in receipt of any approaches. The sale process will be run by BofA Merrill Lynch and Citigroup.

(Reuters)