Write-off
Australia: Retail realities
Not all bankruptcies can be blamed solely on COVID-19; neither is private equity ownership necessarily bad news for retailers. As recent experiences in Australia demonstrate, evolution and execution are key
PE-owned Australian swimwear brand enters administration
Seafolly, an Australian swimwear and beachwear brand owned by L Catterton Asia, has entered administration, citing the “crippling financial impact” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baring Asia restructures retailer Cath Kidston
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed a restructuring of Cath Kidston, a UK lifestyle retailer it has backed since 2014, under which the company has entered administration and will reemerge as a smaller business.
Blackstone-owned Burger King NZ enters receivership
The Burger King New Zealand franchise, which was acquired by The Blackstone Group for NZ$108 million ($86 million) in 2011, has been placed into receivership.
Australia's PE-owned Tigerlily enters administration
Tigerlily, an Australian swimwear brand acquired by Crescent Capital Partners in 2017, has entered administration following a collapse in sales attributed to the COVID-19 outbreak.
PE-backed NZ cricket platform goes into receivership
CricHQ, a cricket-focused online platform based in New Zealand and backed by Singapore-based Tembusu Partners, has been placed in receivership.
Creditors to assume control of KKR-owned Bis Industries
Australian mining services provider Bis Industries has reached a debt-to-equity restructuring agreement with creditors that will see current owner KKR relinquish its majority position.
Creditors take control of PE-owned Gerard Lighting
A creditor consortium led by Investec and Bain Capital Credit (BCC) has assumed full control of Gerard Lighting, an Australian light fittings distributor owned by CHAMP Private Equity.
Australia's PE-owned Byron Group enters administration
Byron Group, an Australia-based manufacturer of emergency services transport vehicles and related equipment owned by Wolseley Private Equity, has been placed into administration.
PE-backed Jones the Grocer folds in Australia again
The Australian operation of Jones the Grocer, a gourmet food retailer backed by L Capital Asia, has entered voluntary administration for the second time in two years.
