Dutch womenswear chain Purdey starts afresh

By

Shomara Roosblad

Published
May 27, 2016

Womenswear chain Purdey is starting afresh with Berden Mode & Wonen and its own parent company, Brova Groep. This was reported by local newspaper, Brabants Dagblad.

In April, Brova Groep, the parent company of Purdey, went bankrupt. Purdey itself was still profitable and therefore sold to O&C investments before the bankruptcy. At the time, Het Financiële Dagblad, reported that O&C investments would take over all of the 22 branches of the womenswear chain, who in addition to its own label, Purdey, also carries brands such as Arma, Brax, and Josephine & Co.

However, in May, Het Financiële Dagblad, reported that the sale to O&C investments was reversed. In a lawsuit, the liquidators of the Brova Groep claimed back the shares of Purdey, as they believe that the purchase price of 250 thousand euros was too low, stating that Purdey is worth three to five million euros.

At the time, the court decided that O&C investments must deliver the shares back to Brova Groep within 72 hours. With the decision, the chain, which was the only profitable formula of the Brova Groep, belonged to its former owner again.

Today, this results in a co-ownership of Brova Groep and Berden Mode & Wonen of the womenswear chain, Purdey.

The first Purdey store opened its doors in 1980. From 2009 Brova Goep owned the company. Berden Mode & Wonen is a family business founded in 1902 and offers fashion, accessories, interior and bedding items. Brands include G-star, Chasin’, Michael Kors, Sloggi, MDF Italia and Auping.

HoutBrox and Duthler, two other companies that belonged to Brova Groep, are also starting afresh. These concepts will continue under Berden Mode & Wonen in collaboration with the Belgian company, Shopinvest.