Educational products retailer Right Start Inc. said yesterday that it would buy some assets of FAO Schwarz, including its flagship Fifth Avenue store, for $55 million in stock and debt, in a move to become a specialty retailer in high-end children's products, according to reports.
Before the deal is concluded in January, FAO Schwarz's owner Dutch retailing giant Vendex International NV, said it will close 17 of 42 FAO Schwarz shops nationwide. One-third of 1,500 jobs will be cut.
The sale of FAO Schwarz became a priority after the chain posted a first-half operating loss of $8 million this year. Vendex agreed to pay tens of millions in restructuring charges, cover expected losses of $17.6 million for the full year and lend the buyer $18 million for integration costs. As part of the agreement, Vendex will receive a 15 percent stake in The Right Start, but plans to divest the interest as soon as possible.
Right Start will take over 22 FAO Schwarz stores in the United States, the Internet and catalog operations and rights to the FAO Schwarz name.
FAO Schwarz's owner, Dutch retailing giant Vendex International NV, will acquire a major stake in Right Start as a result of the transaction.
Right Start will issue Vendex preferred stock convertible into 5 million common shares worth about $27 million and an $18 million four-year note. It will also assume about $10 million in liabilities from Vendex.
The deal is subject to regulatory approval and certain third-party consents.
