Matches Fashion
 | |
| Formerly | MATCHESFASHION.COM |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 1987, in London |
| Founder | Tom Chapman Ruth Chapman |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 6 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Products | Men's Fashion Women's Fashion Accessories Clothes Shoes Accessories |
| Brands | Matches Raey |
| Parent |
|
| Website | www |
Matches is a global luxury e-commerce platform, shipping to over 200 countries. Matches offers ready-to-wear, shoes, bags and accessories for womenswear, menswear and lifestyle products. The business operates online and via three stores in London, England.
Since December 2023, Matches has been owned by Frasers Group.[1]
History[edit]
Tom Chapman and Ruth Chapman opened the first store in Wimbledon Village in 1987, and opened an online store in 2007.[2] In 2012, the Chapmans sold a £20,000,000 stake to venture capital firms to help build its online presence.[3] In 2017, the founders sold the business to private equity firm Apax for an estimated £400 million.[4]
Six months after Ajay Kavan stepped down from his role,[5] Paolo de Cesare became CEO of Matches Fashion in September 2021.[6] After confirming that Nick Beighton would be its new CEO on July 12, 2022,[7] the company received £60m from Apax.[8] to power its turnaround.
On 3 November 2022, it rebranded from Matchesfashion to Matches.[7]
In 2023, Matches saw a revenue drop, but said it has grown its customer base in its UK and US markets and has "improved underlying profitability."[9]
In 2023, Frasers Group acquired Matches Fashion for £52 million from private equity firm Apax Partners.[1][10]
In 2024, months after Frasers Group acquired Matches Fashion for £52 million, they placed the business into administration and cut over half of staff. [11] Matches CEO Nick Beighton and CFO Dave Murray both left the fashion retailer a week after it entered administration.[12]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Frasers Group buys Matches Fashion for £52m Henry Saker-Clark, The Independent, December 20, 2023
- ^ "Matchesfashion.com co-founder: "Leaders must rethink what's possible and deliver meaningful change"". www.managementtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Ruth Chapman: 'In fashion, when women talk, men listen. That's an". Evening Standard. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Husband and wife bank £400m from sale of Matchesfashion.com". the Guardian. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ Conti, Samantha (1 March 2021). "Ajay Kavan Steps Down as Matchesfashion CEO After One Year". WWD. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ Socha, Samantha Conti, Miles; Conti, Samantha; Socha, Miles (20 September 2021). "Matchesfashion Picks Paolo de Cesare as CEO". WWD. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b UK, FashionNetwork com. "Matchesfashion confirms Nick Beighton as its new CEO". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "MATCHESFASHION | Apax Partners". www.apax.com. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "Matchesfashion Saw Slight Revenue Drop in 2022". The Business of Fashion. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group Buys Matchesfashion Business of Fashion, TAMISON O'CONNOR and ROBERT WILLIAMS, 20 December 2023
- ^ Butler, Sarah (8 March 2024). "Matchesfashion to enter administration and cut 273 jobs". The Guardian.
- ^ Wright, Georgia (13 March 2024). "Matches CEO and CFO exit following administration - Retail Gazette".