Luxury shoemaker Jimmy Choo has been bought by Michael Kors Holdings in a deal which values the firm at about £896m. The British firm, which was put up for sale in April, had attracted attention from a number of suitors. As well as shoes, Jimmy Choo produces a range of luxury goods, but has seen sales slow in recent years.
Under the terms of the agreement, Jimmy Choo will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Michael Kors. The sale plan was backed by Jimmy Choo’s main shareholder, JAB Holdings, owned by the German billionaire Reimann family. Michael Kors Holdings said the acquisition was expected to deliver a number of benefits, including “the opportunity to grow Jimmy Choo sales to one billion” and “a more balanced portfolio with greater product diversification”.
It said Jimmy Choo would also have the opportunity to grow in the men’s luxury footwear category, as well as greater exposure to global markets, “particularly the fast-growing market in Asia”.
The firm was co-founded by Malaysian shoemaker Jimmy Choo, who trained at the renowned Cordwainers Technical College in London, and former Vogue journalist Tamara Mellon in 1996. It quickly built up a dedicated client list of musicians, actresses and royalty. The Duchess of Cambridge is a fan of the British shoe designer, as is singer Beyonce.
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