Next and Frasers said to be in running for Seraphine rescue deal
According to sources for Drapers, dubbed 'several industry veterans', the two firms are being tipped as the top contenders to buy Seraphine out of administration. A purchase is likely to be in the 'low single-digit millions'.
A former fashion retail CEO told the media outlet that Next was likely to 'get a good deal on Seraphine', but that its interest most likely lies in the brand's intellectual property instead of the entire business.
For Frasers, Seraphine's price point could allow it to 'fit right in' within its portfolio, a supermarket fashion executive told Drapers. They added: 'It's going to be a hard buy. It's a niche sector and birth rates are falling, but there will always be demand for maternitywear.'
Another source told the platform that US-based private equity firms were also believed to be eyeing the business.
Seraphine entered administration on July 8, appointing advisors at Interpath to oversee the process. At the time, the brand said 'trading challenges' had been 'exacerbated by fragile consumer confidence which had negatively impacted sales'.
In May, following a rebrand, the company had attempted to secure extra investment to support its next phase of growth, yet 'pressure on cashflow continuing to mount' meant that it was forced to accelerate its review of options.
FashionUnited has contacted Next and Frasers Group with requests to comment. Interpath declined to comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
16 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Brits urged to 'go home' by Majorca hotels in awkward billboard plea
Hotels are putting up signage across the island in a bid to reclaim the viral "go home" messaging that local protesters have deployed Hoteliers in Majorca are uniting to urge British holidaymakers to "go home", but unlike the placards of local residents protesting against the effects of mass tourism, these hotel businesses are asking them to return "soon." The Majorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) is erecting signs across the island in an attempt to reclaim the viral "go home" slogan used by local demonstrators demanding stricter regulations on short-term holiday rentals and a halt to hotel construction in favour of residential homes. Signs in both English and German, aimed at two of the Spanish island's key tourist demographics, will now somewhat awkwardly read: "Tourist, go home happy. Be happier returning to Mallorca soon. Thanks!". Despite an early summer dip in visitors from Germany and Spain, Brits, seemingly unfazed by the prospect of having a 'go home' placard brandished at them, have been dubbed the islands' "most loyal holidaymakers". This is evidenced by a recent nine per cent surge in British tourists visiting Majorca and a six per cent increase across the Balearics overall. Approximately 20 billboards will carry these messages, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, in a bid by business leaders to counteract some of the negative sentiment stirred up by these often well-attended protests. Javier Vich, the president of MEHF, expressed his hope that the billboards would capitalise on a recent significant victory for the local hospitality industry. The sector had experienced walk-outs and strikes over pay, before a "best in Spain" increase of 13.5 per cent was agreed with employers. Vich stated: "Every month during the high season, 235,000 salaries are paid in sectors linked to tourism: transport, catering, culture, leisure and hospitality.' before stressing that these salaries were paid from the proceeds of tourists visiting the island. He added: "We cannot allow a radical minority to damage the work carried out over many years by so many people who have made tourism their way of life." The Balearic Islands rank as the third most popular destination for holidaymakers travelling to Spain, which has witnessed a tremendous tourism surge since the pandemic. This has resulted in a significant increase in illegal holiday rentals across the country, reducing the number of homes available for locals and driving up rental prices. However, Vich contended: "Tourism cannot be the punching bag for all the structural problems of this community."
Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
How global tensions are unsettling markets: podcast
Follow on Apple or Spotify. Listen on the Reuters app. Investors face a daily barrage of tariffs, sanctions and conflict. In this episode of The Big View podcast, Anna Rosenberg of Amundi explains how money managers deal with this uncertainty, and how the power rivalry between the US and China is upending economic trade-offs. Follow Peter Thal Larsen on Bluesky and LinkedIn. (The host is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.) Further Reading China treads a fine line with its trade warning Time for EU to remind Trump of its trade war cards Trump TACO trade contains seeds of own unravelling Donald Trump's tariff scattergun will miss target EU's China-US trade weakness only goes so far Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit to opt-out of targeted advertising.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Employee marks 50 years with Dawson Structural Engineering
Powys-based Dawson Structural Engineering, has celebrated a major milestone. David 'Dai' Jones has worked for the company as a steel fabricator for 50 years, joining the workforce in 1974. Mr Jones has remained a loyal employee to the firm ever since. The milestone coincided with the family-run company also reaching a milestone itself. Structural Engineering has now traded for 50 years as a limited company. Mr Jones was presented with a memorial clock and other gifts alongside his wife Kath to celebrate the occasion.
