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Shining a light on PE ownership.

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SY
Private Equity Firm

Sycamore Partners

AUM$10 billion
Founded2011
HQNew York, NY

Private equity firm specializing in retail and consumer investments.

Track Record

Performance
Total Acquisitions3
Bankruptcy Rate33%
Avg Hold Period0.3yrs
High-Risk Track Record

33% of companies owned by this firm have filed for bankruptcy. This is significantly above the industry average.

Known Tactics

Playbook

Cost Cutting

COMMON

Aggressive reduction in labor costs, supplier payments, and operational expenses.

Debt Loading

COMMON

Adding significant debt to acquired company balance sheets, often to fund dividends to PE owners.

Real Estate Sale-Leaseback

COMMON

real estate sale-leaseback is a common PE tactic.

Supplier Payment Delays

COMMON

supplier payment delays is a common PE tactic.

Inventory Reduction

COMMON

inventory reduction is a common PE tactic.

Staff Layoffs

COMMON

staff layoffs is a common PE tactic.

Maintenance Deferral

COMMON

maintenance deferral is a common PE tactic.

Portfolio Companies

Current and former holdings

NI

Nine West

retail·2014
ACTIVE
ST

Staples

retail·2017
ACTIVE
WA

Walgreens

pharmacy retail
ACTIVE

Notable Outcomes

Case Studies

Failures

Nine West

N/A

Nine West experienced difficulties under PE ownership.

Successes

Staples

N/A

Staples achieved a successful outcome under PE ownership.