Sears chairman offers alternative if buyout is rejected
The chairman of Sears has a back-up plan for his company in case his $4.4 billion buyout offer is rejected.
On Dec. 28, Transform Holdco, an affiliate of Lampert’s ESL Investments hedge fund, submitted a last-minute bid for substantially all of the assets of Sears, including a portfolio of 425 stores, which it valued at $4.4 billion. The bid doesn’t guarantee that Sears will avoid liquidation. The company and its advisers must determine by Jan. 4 whether the bid is qualified and can move on to the bankruptcy auction on Jan. 14.
In addition to the primary bid, Lampert has submitted a smaller or “alternative” bid proposal, valued at $250 million, that would keep at least 250 stores open and also buy a few other pieces of Sears, CNBC reported. The rest of the company would likely be liquidated.
In addition, the back-up plan includes certain real estate assets. The real estate component was detailed in a letter to JLL, reported WWD, and included in the filing. In the letter, ESL indicates it would be willing to pay up to $1.81 billion for certain assets, including some ground leases.
On Dec. 28, Transform Holdco, an affiliate of Lampert’s ESL Investments hedge fund, submitted a last-minute bid for substantially all of the assets of Sears, including a portfolio of 425 stores, which it valued at $4.4 billion. The bid doesn’t guarantee that Sears will avoid liquidation. The company and its advisers must determine by Jan. 4 whether the bid is qualified and can move on to the bankruptcy auction on Jan. 14.
In addition to the primary bid, Lampert has submitted a smaller or “alternative” bid proposal, valued at $250 million, that would keep at least 250 stores open and also buy a few other pieces of Sears, CNBC reported. The rest of the company would likely be liquidated.
In addition, the back-up plan includes certain real estate assets. The real estate component was detailed in a letter to JLL, reported WWD, and included in the filing. In the letter, ESL indicates it would be willing to pay up to $1.81 billion for certain assets, including some ground leases.