Bear Stearns acquires stake in Stuart Weitzman

06/07/2005

Bear Stearns Merchant Banking has acquired a minority ownership position in Stuart Weitzman Holdings, LLC, a designer, manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of premium women's shoes and handbags.

 

"With more than 90% of net sales currently coming from its shoe business, the growth potential for the Stuart Weitzman brand is phenomenal," said John Howard, chief executive officer of Bear Stearns. "We look forward to working with the company in expanding the handbag collection and exploring additional opportunities both domestically and internationally."

 

Stuart Weitzman, which supplies women's shoes to stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Harrods also operates 15 retail stores in the United States and has issued licenses to eight retailers to operate Stuart Weitzman-branded stores outside the United States.