LK Bennett US arm plans closing clearance sales

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Apr 9, 2019

LK Bennett hasn’t yet announced its new owner, but the company is already taking action to liquidate its US stock. LK Bennett USA is asking permission of the bankruptcy court to begin closing-down sales at its stores in the country and its webstore.

The subsidiary of the UK-based parent company, which is itself currently operating in administration until a buyer can be announced, only filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy last week, saying that revenues had been below expectations and its losses had widened.

But the US move doesn’t mean it has to be the end of the brand in that country. The Wall Street Journal reported that its American court filing said the stores and online operation would close “unless and until there is interest expressed in the purchase of the debtor or its assets in connection with” the UK proceedings.

An announcement about a new owner is expected any day with founder Linda Bennettt having reportedly dropped out of the race and a Chinese supplier to the firm having been tipped to win the auction.

Meanwhile, the US firm listed liabilities of $32.5 million and said that starting the store closures and “quickly eliminating the costs associated with its footprint will maximise the value of the debtor’s business,” WSJ said.