Hilco, the investment business which recently bought Lakeland, is considering an offer for the UK arm of embattled Claire’s.
Hilco Capital, which was also among the bidders for Poundland earlier this year, is one of several possible buyers likely to make an offer for Claire’s in the next few weeks, Sky News reported.
It may face competition for control of Claire’s UK operations from competitors such as Alteri Investors and Modella Capital, the new owner of WHSmith’s high street division.
Claire’s is understood to have brought Interpath Advisory on board to find a buyer for the UK division as options for the US parent company, including bankruptcy, are assessed.
Claire’s has around 200 branches in the UK, but some are expected to shut in the event of a sale. One source said that as many as a third might go, jeopardising jobs.
Worldwide, Claire’s has about 2,000 stores. It is controlled by former creditors Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital, which took ownership following an earlier financial restructuring.
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