RE: Speculation8 Aug 2024 10:23
All we know for certain is that Frasers have a plan which will become clear with hindsight, or that is what the Frasers CEO has said.
None of us know what Ashley is thinking. Maybe he sees a parallel with where Sports Direct were a few years. A share price destroyed, media villifying him personally and the business seemingly having no real future. Sound familiar?
Fast forward to 2025 and where is Sports Direct now. Maybe he sees the same long term opportunity here. Whatever he is planning, with the scale of his purchase, it definitely isn't short term imo.
I don't think he is planning a purchase of BOO. Fraser's have never gone for a purchase of anything near that scale. I think it is more about Debenhams on one hand and becoming the perceived king of retail on the other. Debenhams could easily go back into bricks and mortar with Frasers know how as a minority partner. With signifcant stakes in the Uk's two biggest online retailers and his physical presence, he would become the king of retail