Alteri Investors acquires 50% stake in Missguided
Alteri Investors (“Alteri”), the specialist European retail sector investor, today announces that it has made a significant investment in Missguided.
Alteri’s investment, comprising both debt and the acquisition of 50% of the group’s equity, will provide the business with the liquidity and support it needs to overcome short-term supply chain challenges, as well as a platform to return the business to sustainable profitability.
The investment firm, which specialises in buying struggling retailers, said in a statement that after addressing short-term priorities including restocking following recent supply chain challenges, that it will work with management to develop a new strategy to transform the group’s profitability. In the medium term, the focus will be to shift to initiatives aimed at delivering sustainable growth.
The current management will be boosted by the addition of an Executive Chairman with strong retail and turnaround experience, and discussions with a favoured candidate are well progressed. The Board will be further reinforced with the addition of two Directors from Alteri Investors.
The investment will be made from Alteri’s second investment vehicle, launched in August 2019, with the backing of funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE: APO).
Missguided founder and CEO Nitin Passi said: “Earlier this year we launched a process to identify a partner to help us navigate short-term challenges but more importantly deliver on the great opportunity that exists for this brand. Alteri’s deep sector expertise, proven track record and focus on driving operational efficiency make it the right partner. We look forward to working closely with the Alteri team as we return Missguided to profitability.”
Alteri Investors founder and CEO Gavin George said: “Missguided is a much-loved brand with an entrepreneurial spirit which has seen it stay exciting and relevant over more than a decade and build a meaningful share of competitive markets in the UK, the US and beyond. Alteri’s success in this process is testament to the breadth of our operational transformation capabilities and our retail sector expertise. As a digital pure-play retailer, Missguided is exposed to core markets enjoying strong double-digit growth, and the brand is very well-placed to capture the opportunity that these positive market dynamics present. We are looking forward to working with Nitin and the management team to help the business achieve its considerable potential.”
