Shoe Zone has reportedly tabled a bid to buy ailing value footwear chain Brantano as it teeters on the edge of administration
The listed retailer, which announced falling full-year revenue as a result of closing loss-making stores in January, makes for a surprising bidder.
It is up against Philip Day’s highly acquisitive Edinburgh Woollen Mill, according to Sky News.
As Retail Week revealed last week, Brantano owners Alteri filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, just one day after filing the same notice for sister brand Jones Bootmaker.
Alteri acquired the pair from their Dutch parent company Macintosh at the tail end of 2015 and the two went through an insolvency process this time last year.
However, such measures have been insufficient to boost performance at either brand, as fashion retailers continue to suffer in an ever tougher market.
Buyers circling Jones include footwear chain Pavers and investment firm Endless.
Alteri is reportedly confident of securing buyers for both chains with both sale processes possibly completing by the end of the week.
Jobs are still at risk however, as insolvency processes are likely to be applied.
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