RE: FY2529 Aug 2024 12:12
Most notable / relatable examples (particularly Matches were Frasers lost £52m a few months after their investment)
Matchesfashion, the online clothes retailer known as Matches (acquired by Frasers in December 2023), and its proprietor (M F Bidco Limited) were put into administration in March 2024. Frasers paid £52m to purchase the business, but has reported that Matchesfashion has been badly hit by the Europe-wide decline in sales of luxury goods and has missed performance targets set following the takeover.
FarFetch, the major London-based online luxury fashion retail platform that operates globally, got into financial difficulties towards the end of 2023. It links up-market shoppers to thousands of retailers and suppliers, inlcuding Burberry and Gucci. It was acquired by South Korean online business, Coupang, last year in a deal that wiped out its shareholders and many bondholders.
Ted Baker, the high street fashion retailer, is appointing administrators (March 2024) to rescue the business. There are 45 Ted Baker stores in the UK (and 40+ concessions) and almost 1,000 employees.