Style Group Brands in search of new investors

Style Group Brands, the owner of womenswear labels Jacques Vert, Windsmoor, Dash, Eastex and Precis Petite, is searching for a new investor over the coming days, it has been reported.

According to Sky News, the business which is owned by private equity house Sun European Partners, appointed KPMG recently to assess its options and talks remain underway about its future options including talks with potential buyers.

Should these talks not reach a satisfactory conclusion, there are fears the business, which employs 1,100 people, may be placed into administration. Such a move could place many of those jobs, which are mainly retail workers, at risk.

Style Group Brands was formed through the merger of Jacques Vert and Irisa Group‎, following the acquisition by Sun in 2012. It was known as the Jacques Vert Group until it adopted the new branding of Style Group Brands last year.

The concessions business sells its brands in 470 stores, including Debenhams, John Lewis Online, House of Fraser, Independent Department Stores (AIS), as well some standalone brand stores in the UK. The business also operates internationally in North America, Canada, Belgium, Ireland and the Middle East.