Hilco, which acquired the modern vintage brand in July, is exploring a sale after being contacted by multiple interested parties.
The owner of the retail company Cath Kidston is considering a sale just eight months after acquiring it.
Several prospective purchasers of the modern vintage brand have contacted Hilco Capital, which specializes in purchasing distressed consumer businesses.
According to city sources, Hilco had hired PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to counsel on a sale.
On Thursday, it was unclear what form Hilco’s sale would take and whether any bidders would attempt to acquire the entire company.
London-based Hilco has controlled some of the most prominent British retailers, including Homebase and HMV.
Baring Private Equity Asia purchased Cath Kidston out of bankruptcy a little over two years ago (BPEA).
It once had a large number of stores, but now operates only four locations.
Cath Kidston went bankrupt in 2020, resulting in the loss of roughly one thousand jobs.
It was founded by its eponymous creator in 1993 and grew to include dozens of stand-alone stores.
Similar to many other retailers, its fortunes were impacted by the pandemic, driving it into bankruptcy roughly three years ago.
BPEA, which acquired complete control of Cath Kidston in 2016, reached a pre-pack insolvency agreement mandating the closure of its entire high street estate in the United Kingdom.
In Saudi Arabia, it has fewer than a handful of shops.
Cath Kidston, renowned for its floral and polka dot designs, has been led for several years by Melinda Paraie, who came as chief executive in 2018 from luxury goods manufacturer Coach.
From a solitary store in West London selling flea market finds and vintage fabric. The company grew to include fashion, homewares, and accessories.
The chain’s founder amassed a fortune when she sold a stake to private equity company TA Associates approximately twelve years ago in a transaction reportedly worth £100 million.
Hilco was unavailable for remark.
