Sycamore Partners acquires The Jones Group

The Jones Group and Sycamore Partners have

announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which affiliates of Sycamore Partners will acquire The Jones Group for 15 dollars per share in cash, or a total of approximately 1.2 billion dollars. The transaction is valued at approximately 2.2 billion dollars, including net debt. Upon completion of the transaction, The Jones Group will become a privately held company.
,br/> Under the terms of the agreement, The Jones Group's shareholders will receive 15 dollars in cash for each share of The Jones Group's common stock. This represents a premium of approximately 19 percent to The Jones Group's 30-day volume weighted average stock price for the period ended April 11, 2013, the last trading day prior to when media speculation began regarding the company's plans to sell all or parts of its portfolio. The agreement was unanimously approved by The Jones Group's Board of Directors.

Commenting on the development, Sidney Kimmel, The Jones Group Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which we believe is a positive development for all of our stakeholders. This business, which I founded nearly 45 years ago, has expanded into a global portfolio of powerful brands. I am proud of our heritage and believe The Jones Group's brands will thrive through our partnership with Sycamore.” The acquisition, which is structured as a one-step merger with The Jones Group as the surviving corporation, is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of shareholder and regulatory approvals. The acquisition requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of outstanding shares of the Company's stock, which will be sought at a special meeting of shareholders. The transaction is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2014.

The Jones Group is marketer and wholesaler of over 35 brands with product expertise in apparel, footwear, jeans wear, jewelry and handbags. The company's internationally recognized brands and licensing agreements include Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Kurt Geiger, Rachel Roy, Robert Rodriguez, Robbi & Nikki, Stuart Weitzman, Brian Atwood, Boutique 9, Easy Spirit, Carvela, Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini, Nine & Co., GLO, Joan & David, Miss KG, Kasper, Energie, Evan-Picone, Le Suit, Mootsies Tootsies, Grane, Erika, Napier, Jessica Simpson, Givenchy, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon, Pappagallo and Rafe.