LONDON — August 26, 2016 — Amery Capital announces the sale of Long Tall Sally (LTS) to TriStyle Mode GmbH (TriStyle), backed by Equistone Partners Europe (Equistone), one of Europe’s leading mid-market private equity investors.
TriStyle, the German direct fashion retailer operating brands Peter Hahn and Madeleine across Europe, has acquired the Amery Capital backed tall women’s specialist, Long Tall Sally, in a deal valued at c. £30 million.
TriStyle was itself acquired by Equistone last year, and the business has been actively looking for other synergistic opportunities that can benefit from TriStyle’s strong operating, sourcing and financial stability, strength and momentum.
Long Tall Sally will continue to be operated independently from its east London offices with the existing management team led by Andrew Shapin.
Andrew Shapin, CEO, Long Tall Sally commented, “The tall women of the world have a strong desire to purchase well made, up-to-date fashion, and we are proud and passionate about working to provide them real choices. Our team, with the backing of Amery Capital, has transformed LTS from a £10 million UK retailer to an international, fast growing, profitable, digitally led £50 million (€60m, $68m) sales p.a. omni-channel business, with c.70% of sales online. We are very excited about the opportunity to continue to accelerate our growth around the world with the backing of one of Europe’s leading direct to consumer fashion businesses.”
“We are delighted that Michael and Maurice Bennett will deservedly enjoy yet another successful return on the inspiration, wisdom, and laughs they have invested in Long Tall Sally over the past 10 years,” said Maurice Helfgott, Chairman of Amery Capital and Long Tall Sally. “They join me in wholeheartedly thanking Andrew Shapin and our experienced teams and suppliers across the world for making Long Tall Sally such a success. I am very pleased to remain with the business as Chairman, and to reinvest with Andrew in TriStyle alongside such accomplished professional investors Equistone Partners Europe.”
Michael Bork Partner of Equistone and Head of the Advisory Board of TriStyle said, “I think Long Tall Sally, Andrew, Maurice and the team are wonderful and am excited and confident about their future together with TriStyle. We are grateful about the opportunity to work together in the future for the sake of our customers. As promised, we will add interesting businesses to the TriStyle Group to grow the business organically and by external acquisitions. But, it’s not all just about growth. The creativity, professionalism, understanding of customers, markets and product of both teams is outstanding and will result in a success story.”
“At TriStyle we are delighted to welcome Long Tall Sally to our group,” said Niels Degen, member of the TriStyle management team. “Together with Long Tall Sally and its fabulous management team, we will continue to strengthen our position as a leading women’s omni-channel fashion retailer. We will work together closely for continuous growth of the TriStyle companies Long Tall Sally, Peter Hahn and Madeleine.”
Posted August 26, 2016
Source: Long Tall Sally