Pepkor has made an approach to buy the South African owner of the Volpes, Coricraft and Dial-a-Bed chains to further expand in furniture and bedding, according to people familiar with the matter.
Africa’s largest clothing retailer is one of a handful of bidders for Tapestry Home Brands, as private-equity firms Actis and Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management look to exit, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the process is ongoing.
The sellers currently value the company at between $250 million (R4 billion) and $300 million (R4.8 billion) and there is no certainty of a deal with Pepkor, one of the people said.
Pepkor is prepared to pay R2.4 billion and is unlikely to raise the price, a second person said.
Pepkor and Actis declined to comment. Westbrooke couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
The Foschini Group, an acquisitive Cape Town-based clothing rival that bought the Jet chain in 2020, declined to comment on whether it has or plans to make a bid.
Pepkor, whose chains include Ackermans, Russells and Sleepmasters, has significantly reduced its debt and begun a process to refinance R5 billion due in 2023. The company, based on the outskirts of Cape Town, is highly cash generative with 93% of sales in its most recent fiscal year made in cash. In the clothing segment, Pepkor is a low-cost specialist.
Pepkor shares traded 1% lower on Tuesday afternoon, and have gained 70% this year.
