Monkeys:
I was wondering if anyone could share info on the leading boutique players for the retail/consumer buy-side. I am looking to learn more about specialist funds that are retail exclusive or (at least semi-exclusive). Would love to hear about key firms, deal strategies, life at the associate level, recruiting process, etc.
Can anyone provide any intel?
Thanks
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Would you be interested in Growth Equity as well? I think Consumer at the growth equity stage could be quite interesting. Anyways, I'd highly recommend taking a look at L Catterton.
Thanks for the reply! Open to learning more about Growth Equity too.
Can confirm. I work with L Catterton folks on a few deals/portco's and they're solid folks. They grind their associates but they get very operationally involved which is nice.
Given your interest is in primarily in retail I recommend doing a bottom-up approach. For example, look at retail companies that you really like then find who their investors are to begin building a list of potential firms. One huge plus from doing it from this approach is you will come across more well-versed in interviews. I would look at later stage investors in companies like Warby Parker, etc.
Also helpful. Many thanks
L Catterton is a good example, look at Roark for buyouts and look at VMG Partners for growth equity.
I'll second VMG, they are investing early in some great emerging retail brands
In addition to L Catterton, Sycamore is another big played in consumer retail PE
L Catterton, Lion Capital are great boutiques from what I have heard!
Best of luck
Rhone Group is another one
Brentwood for consumer (e.g. Allen Edmonds)
Leonard Green, Sycamore, Bain, Golden Gate.
Leornard Green is the top dog in retail, then probably Sycamore; L Catterton is up there too
L Catterton, Brentwood, Palladin, Sycamore, many others. Looks like others have already mentioned these names
Sun Capital Partners (if I remember correctly) out of Florida.
Sun is really a value buyer with a generalist focus. It isn't nearly as good at C&R deals as others mentioned.
Burch Creative Capital
Relevant and timely link from Retail Dive on PE players: https://www.retaildive.com/news/the-hungriest-acquirers/540740/
There's more articles in the series - see the bottom.
If you're interested in very small there's a growth equity shop in Chicago called Winona Capital that only does retail
Alliance Consumer Growth is an early stage growth equity fund focused on consumer. They invested in ShakeShack, Blaze Pizza, Suja etc.
L Catterton is by far one of the most reputable consumer funds. They have a growth and a buyout fund and target middle market consumer companies.
VMG Partners and CircleUp are also very good.
What do you like about circle up? They are obviously doing some cool stuff with their platform.
TSG Consumer
thanks so much for the helpful insight everyone.
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