Transaction Description
Ultra Stores, Inc., a leading jewelry retailer operating primarily in outlet centers, announced the sale to Signet Jewelers Ltd., the largest specialty retail jeweler in the US and UK, on October 24, 2012.
About Ultra Stores
Founded in 1991, Ultra Stores is a leading jewelery retailer operating primarily in outlet centers, as well as licensed jewelry departments. Ultra Stores operates over 140 locations in the US and an e-commerce platform.
About Signet Jewelers
Signet Jewelers is the largest specialty retail jeweler in the US and UK. Signet's US division operates over 1,300 stores in all 50 states primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria of Jewelery.
Role of Duff & Phelps
Duff & Phelps was engaged by Ultra Stores to serve as its exclusive financial advisor in connection with the sale of the company. Duff & Phelps performed extensive pre-marketing diligence to understand the business and develop an appropriate positioning strategy, utilized its retail industry expertise and knowledge of the buyer universe to assemble a highly relevant list of potential strategic and financial buyers, and worked closely with Ultra Stores’ management and majority shareholder Crystal Financial, LLC to develop and execute a marketing process that maximized the value of the business.
