Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots organized into KnitWell Group
- Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm specializing in consumer, distribution and retail-related investments, formed the KnitWell Group, a new holding company comprising apparel brands Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots, which will also provide oversight and shared services to Lane Bryant.
- Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots amass more than $3 billion in annual sales.
- Together, these brands position KnitWell as one of the largest specialty apparel companies in the U.S.
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners formed the KnitWell Group, a new holding company comprising apparel brands Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots. Together, these brands gross more than $3 billion in annual sales. KnitWell Group will also continue to provide oversight and shared services to Lane Bryant, a leading plus-size women's apparel brand. These brands position KnitWell as one of the largest specialty apparel companies in the U.S.
Lizanne Kindler, current CEO of Talbots, will lead KnitWell Group as executive chair and CEO. She is joined in the office of the executive chair by a seasoned team of retail executives, and further supported by senior leaders at each of the brands.
"KnitWell is a collection of powerful brands that, in aggregate, have been providing customers with the fashions they want for nearly 300 years," Kindler said. "Brands are propelled by a deep and meaningful connection with the customers they serve, and that is where we start and end each day. With that as our North Star, we know that this new structure will support our efforts to unite brands and people by providing greater resources and capabilities, economies of scale and enhanced value. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and grateful for our more than 30,000 associates for being part of this next chapter."
Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore Partners, added, "Lizanne and the team have done an incredible job over the last decade reviving and growing these iconic American brands, first Talbots and most recently Ann Taylor and Loft. The consistent and focused approach, which leverages the replicable playbook this team has developed, is laying the foundation of success not only for the brands currently part of the KnitWell portfolio, but also for potential future brands. We look forward to our continued partnership with Lizanne and the entire team."