PE Deals

Eddie Lampert says might consider deal with Sears Canada: Reuters

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Edward S. Lampert (L), chairman of Kmart, speaks at a press conference in New York on November 17, 2004 held to discuss Kmart's purchase of department store operator Sears, Roebuck & Co. in a surprise $11.5 billion deal that will create the third-largest U.S. retailer. Lampert will be chairman of the new company which will be called Sears Holding Corporation. REUTERS/Peter Morgan PM - RTRFZ6S

Billionaire Eddie Lampert‘s ESL Partners LP and Fairholme Capital Management LLC said they are considering a potential deal with Sears Canada Inc as the retailer looks to restructure itself under bankruptcy protection.

Lampert is the chief executive of U.S.-based Sears Holdings Co, from which Sears Canada was spun off in 2012.

Sears Canada sought creditor protection last month after suffering a steady decline in sales due to competition from big-box retailers and online merchants.

ESL Partners and Fairholme, which together own about two-thirds of Sears Canada, said on Monday they had engaged a legal adviser and were “evaluating, discussing and considering a potential negotiated transaction” with the retailer.

The U.S. hedge funds did not provide any details on the kind of transaction they were looking at, but said the talks could include financing, purchase and sale, or restructuring transactions.

ESL, however, warned that the discussions may not result in a deal.

(Reporting by Yashaswini Swamynathan in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)

(This story has been edited by Kirk Falconer, editor of PE Hub Canada)

Photo of Eddie Lampert courtesy of Reuters/Peter Morgan