Authentic Brands and Sparc set to clinch Brooks Brothers

US apparel retailer Brooks Brothers said late Tuesday that it is to be acquired by Authentic Brands Group and Sparc Group after they increased their $305 million offer to $325 million.

The 200-year old apparel retailer filed for bankruptcy last month, joining a slew of decades-old American retailers that have succumbed to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sparc, a venture backed by brand manager Authentic Brands Group and mall operator Simon Property Group, has agreed to continue operating at least 125 Brooks Brothers retail locations as part of the deal.

Brooks Brothers said a hearing to approve the sale was currently scheduled for August 14, with the deal expected to be complete by this month-end.

Brooks Brothers had already been struggling as corporate America, including Wall Street, relaxed its dress code for employees, allowing them to choose casual dressing over bespoke suits.

The retailer had set a deadline last week to receive offers better than Authentic Brands and Simon Property’s, but none came in, sources familiar with the matter had told Reuters.