Clintons– the UK’s second biggest greeting card multiple – is up for sale, with KPMG called in to review the company’s strategic operations.
The retailer, which is wholly owned by American company Weiss, currently has 334 stores, with gifts an increasingly big part of the offer, especially in the run up to the festive season. They range from light up bottles, home fragrancing and mugs to keyrings and stationery. Brands sold by Clintons stores include Yankee Candle, with novelty gifts, and men’s gifts – to include male grooming products from Baylis & Harding– a focus last Christmas.
Founded by Don Lewin in 1968, and formerly known as Clinton Cards, the stores were rebranded as Clintons when the Weiss family bought the company out of administration in 2012. In the past five years, some 80 loss making stores have been closed.
According to Sky News, prospective bidders have been contacted by KPMG.
Earlier this year Paperchase, which sells a wide range of gifts as well as greeting cards, was successful in securing a CVA.
Top: KPMG has been called in to review the strategic operations at Clintons.
