Former Missguided owner in talks to acquire Kurt Geiger

Alteri Investors, which sold its 50% stake in Missguided to Frasers Group in June 2022, is among several parties in talks to bid on high street staple, Kurt Geiger.

Alteri Investors is among several parties in discussions about a takeover of the London-based footwear and accessories brand, according to Sky News. The company, which specialises in turnaround efforts, has owned a number of retailers in Europe since it was established 10 years ago and is the current owner of the Bensons for Beds chain.

Sources explained that talks were at an early stage and were not being held on an exclusive basis.

The 61-year-old brand was established in 1963 by Kurt Geiger in London. It has been owned by the private equity firm Cinven since 2015.

Known for its extraverted footwear and accessories, Kurt Geiger has become a staple in high-street fashion. It is sold at third-party retailers including Selfridges, Harrods and NEXT, to name a few. The brand is now run by CEO Neil Clifford, who has been in charge for over 20 years and is currently seeking expansion across the US.

Kurt Geiger said the US was now its fastest growing market with gross sales in North America having grown 100-fold since 2018, from £2.5m to £255m in 2024. Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Viola Davis, Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton and Afiya Bennett are among its high-profile fans in the US.

Alteri, known for rescuing flailing businesses, may not have such a difficult task at hand if it acquires Kurt Geiger. Last month, the brand unveiled a new campaign starring Emily Ratajkowski, as it builds on a "stand-out year" in which earnings surged 34% to exceed £40 million on sales up 10% at £360 million.

The British powerhouse said it had experienced rising global demand for its "affordable luxury" handbags, which are now its biggest-selling products.