Israeli fashion mogul submits bid for Barneys, challenging Authentic Brands

By Jessica DiNapoli and Mike Spector

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Israeli businessman Samuel Ben-Avraham said on Wednesday he has submitted an offer for Barneys New York Inc, challenging a $271 million bid for the bankrupt luxury department store from brand developer Authentic Brands Group LLC.

The retailer, which filed for bankruptcy in August, had been seeking proposals to best Authentic Brands. A deadline for competing bids was set for Wednesday evening.

It was not immediately clear that Barneys had deemed the offer a so-called qualified bid, meaning that it meets certain thresholds to be considered in a bankruptcy court auction set for Monday, the people said.

Ben-Avraham told Reuters he lined up investors to back his bid and has work to complete before the auction. The entrepreneur launched a social media campaign featuring images from TV shows “Sex and the City” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as part of his proposal.

Barneys and Authentic Brands did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Ben-Avraham owns trade show companies and is also an investor in fashion label Kith, his LinkedIn (NYSE:) profile shows. Additional details on his bid could not immediately be determined.

The sources could not be identified because they were not authorized to speak on the matter. Women’s Wear Daily first reported on Ben-Avraham’s offer.

Authentic Brand’s offer calls for establishing Barneys shops in existing Saks Fifth Avenue stores. A handful of its brick-and-mortar outposts would also remain open, depending on negotiations with landlords, Reuters reported.

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