Fri, 29 Sep 2017 | BUSINESS SALE
The rent-to-own retailer Brighthouse, who has been struggling amid mounting financial pressures, has been put up for sale.
The sales process is likely to begin in mid-October as it makes an effort to refinance £220m of bonds that are due next year.
Brighthouse, owned by private equity company Vision Capital, allows shoppers to pay for goods in weekly instalments, but recent months have seen their earnings crash by 79 per cent to £11.7m after changes to sign-in procedures led to a slump in the number of new customers.
The changes involved including more detailed assessments of customer's incomes and spending in response to a probe into the rent-to-own sector using high-pressure sales tactics and overcharging. For example, an investigation last year found that a £350 washing machine was more than three times as expensive if bought through Brighthouse's weekly instalments.
Three years ago, Vision Capital was preparing the chain for a potential stock market float, but were stopped by concerns about the FCA process resulting in Brighthouse coming under pressure from US hedge funds buying its debt and attempting to wrest control of the business.
Brighthouse's listed bonds are currently trading at 77p on the pound.
Find a business for sale
Subscribe to Business Sale Report
A rare opportunity to acquire a long established, profitable, BMW After Market Specialist, with an excellent reputation. Trading profitably since 1994. Offering complete automotive performance, engineering and styling solutions. This is a retirement...
Provides an extensive range of coffee machinery, which is imported from Italy and Spain, and coffee products, which are sourced within the UK. Offers invited.
FREEHOLD
One of the UK's leading end-to-end service providers. Comprehensive export handling, packing and storage services, providing specialist cargo and goods management to a wide variety of international operations and private clients. 40+ years of success...
|
24
|
|
Jan
|
Yorkshire engineering firm completes MBO deal | MBO/MBI
A West Yorkshire engineering group has been taken over by th...
|
22
|
|
Jan
|
Jewellery retailer enters administration | ADMINISTRATION
A Nottingham-based jewellery and watches company has fallen ...
|
19
|
|
Jan
|
Luxury lodging group enters administration | ADMINISTRATION
An Essex-based company which operates eight luxury lodge par...
Sign up to receive our acquisition alert emails to get your FREE guide
|
24
|
|
Jan
|
Yorkshire engineering firm completes MBO deal | MBO/MBI
A West Yorkshire engineering group has been taken over by th...
|
22
|
|
Jan
|
Jewellery retailer enters administration | ADMINISTRATION
A Nottingham-based jewellery and watches company has fallen ...
|
19
|
|
Jan
|
Luxury lodging group enters administration | ADMINISTRATION
An Essex-based company which operates eight luxury lodge par...
Business Sale Report is your complete solution to finding great acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources