After nearly a decade of losing money Pacific Sunwear of California has finally filed for bankruptcy protection according to a story on Reuters.com.
Citing “significant and unusual trading,” lawyers for the retailer asked a judge to restrict trading on Thursday due to concerns that a significant change in ownership could impair its ability to use tax benefits on operating losses down the road. . . Founded in 1982 as a surf shop, PacSun has posted an annual net loss since the financial crisis hit in 2008.
In what has become standard practice, the company is hoping to hand off all its debt then go private with Golden Gate Capital where the new owners can run the whole game over again in a portfolio that includes Eddie Bauer, California Pizza Kitchen, Red Lobster, and J.Jill.
For a more informed discussion of the topic click here for Jeff Harbaugh’s take.
[Link: Reuters]
