WHP Global to acquire footwear retailer Hunter

The company is considering acquiring the footwear manufacturer and retailer Hunter.

The company’s business will be put up for auction, despite recent multi-million-pound investments. WHP Global has joined a list of companies that have submitted bids to participate in the auction. Chinese e-com giant Baozun, developing the Gap brand in the country, has already confirmed its interest in acquiring it. Reebok and Authentic Brands Group are also among the contenders to purchase Hunter.

It was reported that Hunter’s current shareholders invested about £5 million to rescue the business, and creditors contributed an additional £2 million to the company’s capital. AlixPartners will advise the auction.

Hunter has been struggling with financial difficulties for several years. In 2020, the company raised £16.5 million from its existing shareholder Pall Mall Legacy, a fund supported by Goldman Sachs and Three Hills Capital Partners. Other company shareholders include private investment company Searchlight Capital Partners and sporting giant Pentland Group.

WHP Global is an American company that manages brands and increases their value. The company was founded in 2018 to acquire and manage brands in various industries, including fashion, cosmetics, home textiles, etc. WHP Global’s portfolio of brands includes Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, BCBGMAXAZRIA, and H Halston.

Hunter is a British brand that specializes in producing outdoor footwear, clothing, and accessories, mainly for use in rainy conditions. The brand was founded in Scotland in 1856 and was initially focused on manufacturing rubber boots for hunting and fishing. Today, Hunter produces a wide range of products, handcrafted using high-quality materials and modern technologies. The brand’s distinctive design feature is its recognizable green color of rubber boots and a signature metal plate with the brand logo on the back of the footwear.