This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. It’s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week and what we’re still thinking about. From Crate & Barrel’s collaboration with Converse to Hims & Hers’ latest acquisition, here’s our closeout for the week. What you may have missed New Balance brought in a record $9 ...

The Ssense founders have finalized the deal to buy the business out of bankruptcy and restructure its operations, winning out over a group of lenders who had been lobbying for a liquidation. In mid-January, a Canadian court notified Ernst & Young, the business’s monitor, that the bid submitted by the founders, brothers Rami Atallah, Bassel Atallah and Firas Atallah, together with their strategic partner, a leading Canadian multifamily office, had been accepted. The deal closed on Feb. 13. More from WWD ...

Bob Goldman has spent 55 years building Cels Brands, his storied shoe business, alongside his family. Now the footwear veteran has struck a deal with Gordon Brothers’ brand management division, which is acquiring the intellectual property of all four of the company’s labels — Chinese Laundry, Dirty Laundry, CL by Laundry and 42 Gold. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. More from WWD “This moment is both a culmination and a beginning,” said Goldman. “Our focus has always been simple: create b ...

Investment firm Gordon Brothers bought British fashion brand LK Bennett out of administration, the latest shakeup among ailing UK retailers https://t.co/0JtvfxuYkq ...

Core Insights - Gordon Brothers has acquired the global LK Bennett brand and related intellectual property assets from the Joint Administrators of LK Bennett Fashion Limited [1] - LK Bennett, founded in the '90s, is recognized for its British heritage, luxury fashion, and craftsmanship [2] - Gordon Brothers aims to revitalize LK Bennett by implementing an asset-light model and expanding its market presence through innovative marketing and strategic partnerships [3][4] Company Overview - Gordon Brothers has a history of investing in iconic brands since 2003, including Laura Ashley and Nicole Miller, focusing on brand expansion through licensing and e-commerce [4] - The firm provides integrated solutions in asset advisory, lending, and trading, with expertise across various sectors including retail and real estate [5] - Gordon Brothers operates globally with over 30 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific [5]

Core Insights - American Signature Inc. is closing its last 89 stores as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, with going-out-of-business sales currently underway [1][2] - The company has experienced significant financial decline, with net sales dropping nearly $150 million and net operating loss increasing by $52 million from 2024 to 2025 [3] Group 1: Company Actions - The closure includes 79 Value City Furniture stores across 13 states and 10 American Signature Furniture stores in Delaware and Florida [1] - A joint venture of SB360 Capital Partners, Hilco Global, and Gordon Brothers is managing the liquidation sales [2] - Five additional locations, including four American Signature stores in Tennessee and one Value City store in North Carolina, will conclude their store-closing sales in the coming weeks [2] Group 2: Industry Context - The company’s struggles are indicative of broader challenges within the home goods sector, contributing to its financial downturn [3]

Core Viewpoint - Poundland is facing significant trading challenges, leading to a need for emergency financing to stabilize operations amid declining sales and store visits [1][5]. Company Summary - Poundland is preparing to access £30 million in emergency financing, including an overdraft from its previous owners, Pepco [2][4]. - The company was acquired by Gordon Brothers for £1 as part of a restructuring plan aimed at improving profitability and protecting jobs [3]. - As part of the restructuring, Poundland plans to close approximately 130 stores by February next year [10]. Industry Summary - The retail sector is experiencing a broader slump, with UK high street store visits down 13% year-on-year on December 23, a traditionally busy shopping day [5]. - Retailers are anticipating further declines in sales in January, with business leaders' expectations at their lowest since March 2021 [5].

Core Viewpoint - Gordon Brothers is offering leasehold interests in luxury fully furnished boutique hotels, cottages, and apartments from Sonder Holdings across the United States, presenting a unique investment opportunity in the hospitality sector [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Opportunity - The leasehold interests are available across 190 locations in 17 states, allowing interested parties to make offers on either a full or partial portfolio, starting with just one lease [1]. - This offering is positioned as a growth opportunity for hospitality companies looking to rapidly expand their portfolio with premier turnkey locations [2]. Group 2: Company Background - Gordon Brothers has been in operation since 1903, focusing on maximizing liquidity through realizable asset value and providing expertise and capital to solve business challenges [3]. - The company operates globally with over 30 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, specializing in various asset services including retail, commercial, industrial, brands, and real estate [3].

Core Insights - Advance Auto Parts is divesting non-core assets by engaging Gordon Brothers for surplus disposition services across 83 sites in 38 states as part of its growth strategy [1][5] Company Overview - Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading provider of automotive aftermarket parts, operating 4,297 stores primarily in the U.S., with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as of October 4, 2025 [5] - The company also serves 814 independently owned Carquest branded stores across various locations, including Mexico and the Caribbean [5] Real Estate Strategy - Gordon Brothers will assist Advance Auto Parts in optimizing its real estate portfolio, which includes properties ranging from 4,000 to 16,000 square feet, suitable for various retail uses [2] - The properties are located in established and growing retail trade areas, offering attractive rental rates and terms [2]

Core Insights - Gordon Brothers has established a $1.5 billion joint venture with Davidson Kempner Capital Management and secured a supporting lender finance facility with Wells Fargo [1][2]. Company Overview - Gordon Brothers aims to enhance its capital base to provide customized financing solutions for middle-market and large corporate clients in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation [2]. - The firm has launched a mid-ticket Commercial Equipment Finance offering, which complements its existing Structured Equipment Finance business, targeting companies facing operational or market challenges [4]. Partnership Details - The collaboration with Davidson Kempner and Wells Fargo is designed to deliver flexible and reliable equipment financing solutions, reinforcing Gordon Brothers' position as a comprehensive asset-based solution provider [3][5]. - Wells Fargo's Lender Finance team has a history of assisting entrepreneurs in launching specialty finance platforms, indicating a strategic alignment with Gordon Brothers' objectives [5]. Financial Background - Davidson Kempner Capital Management has over $35 billion in assets under management and extensive experience in serving various institutional clients [7]. - Wells Fargo, with approximately $2.0 trillion in assets, offers a diversified range of financial services, ranking No. 33 on Fortune's 2025 list of America's largest corporations [8].