Online retailer The Hut, which is chaired by former Matalan chief executive Angus Monro and in which Sir Stuart Rose and Sir Terry Leahy are investors, is poised to name advisers ahead of a potential IPO.
Numis, BarCap and Altium are expected to be appointed within the coming days, but no comment was available from the retailer.
There has been speculation that the Hut may consider floating as early as this autumn. However sources familiar with the situation said no decision has been made and that assuming an IPO does go ahead, it may be more likely next year.
The Hut, which runs a variety of etail businesses including Zavvi and Iwantoneofthose, could be valued at as much as £250m.
Earlier this year The Hut acquired sports nutrition etailer Myprotein.com in a deal understood to be worth about £58m.
That deal will bolster The Hut’s health and beauty offer and complement its men’s style and grooming site mankind.co.uk, and strenghthen its international operations.
The purchase will bring international sales to about 40% of The Hut’s total, which is expected to be about £160m in 2011.
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