The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
Toys ‘R’ Us Inc.’s creditors are pushing for a better deal for the Asian business.
The unprofitable company, currently aiming to wind down its US operations, has asked for non-binding bids for its growing Asian unit by early April, according to people familiar with the matter. Toys ‘R’ Us is working with Lazard Ltd. on the sale process, seeking to solicit a wider range of bids as it continues concurrent deal talks with its local partner, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are confidential.
The retailer has sent preliminary information on the business to potential buyers including Chinese private equity firms, the people said. A deal could value the Asian arm at around $1 billion, according to the people.
Toys “R†Us is holding discussions to offload its 85 percent stake in the Asian venture to Hong Kong’s billionaire Fung brothers, who own the remainder of the unit, Bloomberg News reported. The company’s creditors—lenders and bondholders holding about $5 billion of debt—have sought to open up the sale process in the hopes of introducing more competitive tension and fetching a higher price, one of the people said.
While Toys ‘R’ Us wasn’t able to salvage its US operations, the Asia Pacific business has continued to increase revenue. The company in 2017 combined its Japanese unit with the broader Asia joint venture, which now operates more than 400 outlets throughout the region, its website shows.