Walgreens, Authentic Brands and Kourtney Kardashian, among those interested in acquiring Rite Aid assets, according to sources consulted.
The Walgreens pharmacy chain and the reality show star turned into a Kourtney Kardashian businesswoman are among those interested in acquiring the remaining assets of the bankruptcy of Rite Aid, according to two people familiar with the matter.
In addition to Walgreens, brand management companies Authentic Brands Group, Whp Global and Marquee Brands have been evaluating the intellectual property of Rite AID and, potentially, their loyalty program, according to people who asked not to be identified because the process is private.
The three brand management companies have bought the intellectual property of other bankruptcy retailers.
Authentic Brands, owner of Reebok and inverter in Saks Fifth Avenue, bought the intellectual property of the Fast Forever 21 fashion chain and the luxury retailer Barneys after its bankruptcy. Whp Global resurrected toys “R” US after its bankruptcy in 2017, while Marquee acquired fashion retailer BCBG Max Azria Group after his bankruptcy.
Kardashian, co -founder of the Lemme vitamin gominate company and owner of the Welfare and Lifestyle Website Poosh, has expressed interest in the Rite Aid Thrift ice cream brand, according to the sources.
Rite AID, which operates around 1200 stores and has about 8 million customers, declared bankruptcy in May for the second time in two years.
American bankruptcy judge Michael Kaplan has already approved the closure of stores and the sale of customer recipe files to 13 buyers, among which are CVS Health and Walgreens.
Brands management companies such as Authentic, Marquee and Whp often buy the intellectual property of a brand and then license to operational partners who are responsible for manufacturing, design and sales.
The Thrifty ice cream brand, owned by the pharmacy chain, is sold by balls in the counters of some RITE AID establishments or in Rite Aid cardboard containers and other retailers from all over the country. Thrifty was launched in 1940 in a small West Hollywood factory and has several celebrities among their customers, including Kardashian, who could buy the brand on their own or with a partner, according to the sources.
Some consumer -centered private companies are also interested in Thrifty, according to sources.
Rite Aid, Walgreens, Authentic Brands and Whp refused to comment. Marquee Brands and Kardashian representatives did not respond to comments requests.
The current deadline to present offers for the remaining assets is June 18 at 5 PM ET (2100 GMT).
Rite AID, based in Pennsylvania, has had difficulties due to its high debt, inflationary pressures and increased competition. (Abigail Summerville information in New York; Dawn Kopecki and Bill Berkrot edition)
