Maplin is off the market
THE sale of Maplin Electronics is understood to have been put on hold after a trio of private equity suitors failed to meet its owner’s valuation.
Maplin, owned by Montagu Private Equity, has been hit by the high street downturn, which has been particularly tough for electronics retailers.
It is thought Montagu will keep hold of the asset, which it bought from Graphite Capital for £244m in 2004, for at least a year in the hope the market recovers.
Montagu is understood to be holding out for an offer in excess of £400m, with Blackstone, CVC Capital Partners and Advent International linked to the firm.
Last year Maplin made a pre-tax loss of £32.7m on sales of £213m.
A Montagu spokesman was unavailable for comment last night.