US investor WHP Global, owner of G-Star and Toys ‘R’ Us, among others, has made a bid for Guess. The fashion brand will now examine the proposal.
Non-binding
WHP Global is offering 13 dollars (11.90 euros) per share, which represents a significant premium compared to the recent share price – which did skyrocket in the meantime. Co-founder Maurice Marciano, creative director Paul Marciano and CEO Carlos Alberini would retain their shares, however. Guess has formed a committee that will now investigate the non-binding offer. So whether it will actually come to an acquisition is not yet certain.
In any case, Guess and WHP Global know each other well: together, they bought the rights to Rag & Bone last year and Guess has since been operating that fashion brand’s shops in the US and the UK. WHP Global further owns Bonobos, Vera Wang, G-Star and Toys ‘R’ Us, among others.