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Frasers Group Plc, the retail empire majority owned by tycoon Mike Ashley, has raised its stake in struggling online fashion hub Asos Plc.
Already Asos’s third-largest shareholder, Frasers raised its holding to 8.8% from 7.4%, according to a filing. The stake has grown from around 5% in October.
Ashley founded Sports Direct four decades ago and built it into Frasers. The billionaire has a track record of taking stakes in failing retailers and growing positions in rivals.
Frasers has purchased stakes in Hugo Boss AG and luxury handbag maker Mulberry as well as buying Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes, video game retailer Game Digital, apparel brand Jack Wills and online brand Missguided.
Asos has been overhauling its business in a bid to return to profit, reducing inventory and cutting back on excessive discounting.
Last month it raised £75 million ($93 million) in equity from its two largest shareholders, Danish fashion group Bestseller and US hedge fund Camelot Capital Partners to support its turnaround plan. The company also refinanced its bank debt with borrowing facilities from specialist lender Bantry Bay Capital, backed by US activist Elliott Investment Management.