The excessive avenue empire based by Mike Ashley is weighing a proposal for Wiggle, the net bikes retailer which collapsed into administration this week.
Sky News has learnt that London-listed Frasers Group, which is finest identified for its Sports Direct chain, is among the many suitors circling WiggleCRC.
The collapsed firm, which incorporates Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles and the Vitus and Nukeproof biking manufacturers, grew to become bancrupt after shedding the monetary assist of mother or father firm Signa Sports United.
It comes simply days after Frasers struck a deal to purchase Germany’s SportScheck chain, additionally from Signa.
Acquiring Wiggle would add it to a portfolio of retail manufacturers which additionally contains Evans Cycles.
WiggleCRC employs about 450 folks, and is constant to commerce throughout the administration course of.
FRP Advisory has been appointed to deal with the insolvency.
Tony Wright, companion at FRP and joint administrator, mentioned: “WiggleCRC is one of Europe’s best-known sports retailers and has built a committed customer following in the cycling community.
“The administration offers an important interval of safety for WiggleCRC as we put together to market the enterprise on the market.
“The group has a quality stable of brands and a leading market position, so we expect there to be interest and encourage potential buyers to come forward.”
Frasers’ shares have surged by greater than a fifth over the past yr, giving it a market capitalisation of greater than £3.5bn.
Although he’s not on the corporate’s board, Mr Ashley stays Frasers’ majority shareholder.
Under his stewardship, it purchased a swathe of different retail manufacturers, together with the Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes, Evans Cycles and Jack Wills.
A spokeswoman for Frasers declined to remark.
Source: information.sky.com”