Established nearly 30 years ago, Leading Labels is a clothing retail chain with 15 stores located throughout the UK, selling men’s and women’s fashion brands to a loyal customer base. The shareholders had long and successful careers in retail before establishing Leading Labels.
Following unprecedented challenges faced by the clothing retail sector as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the company’s reliance on ‘bricks and mortar’ sites, the retailer’s trading during 2020 was significantly constrained. As a result, the shareholders accelerated their retirement plans and seek a solvent exit.
The Quantuma team, led by corporate finance director Adrian Howells, provided advisory services to effect a swift exit. The process included priming Leading Labels for sale and finding a suitable acquirer, through to hands-on management to deliver a successful completion; all of which was achieved in little over four weeks.
Baaj Capital has an established track record of successful turnaround acquisitions in the fashion retail sector and the acquisition of Leading Labels brings new brands as well as advantageous locations to existing operations. Baaj Capital will bring its expertise to bear in modernising Leading Labels for the digital age.
Adrian Howells, director at Quantuma: “2020 was a tough year for retail and many have reassessed their short and long-term business plans. We are therefore delighted to have supported the shareholders of Leading Labels in selling their business to Baaj Capital, which will modernise operations – thereby ensuring the company’s survival and enabling it to flourish under new management.
“Achieving this sale in such a short amount of time is a great outcome for both the shareholders and the staff of Leading Labels alike as the future of the business is assure.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors Quantuma is a leading business advisory firm which works with businesses at the key milestones, delivering bespoke solutions to help clients take advantage of opportunities and overcome a range of operational and financial challenges, enabling them to achieve their business objectives and ambitions. The business has 20 offices, including 17 in the UK, two international offices in Cyprus (Nicosia and Paphos) and one in Mauritius.
