Brentwood acquires apparel retailer Sundance Holdings

Sundance Catalog, founded by Robert Redford in 1989 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a leading multi-channel direct marketer and specialty retailer of women's apparel and accessories, jewelry and home furnishings.

Selling shareholders, including ACI Capital and Webster Capital, will retain a minority ownership stake, and the business will remain under the leadership of current president and CEO Matey Erdos.

"Sundance Catalog has grown to become a unique lifestyle brand with a compelling assortment of products that serve a large and highly loyal base of customers," said Eric Reiter, a partner at Brentwood. "As partners with management, we will continue to build upon the company's successful multi-channel distribution, and we expect significant growth as the business expands its product offering and broadens its retail footprint."

Sundance Catalog elevates the traditions of genuine American heritage into a sophisticated and creative style by integrating and promoting the work of individual artists and artisans in an authentic visual and narrative context. Sundance Catalog enjoys strong brand loyalty driven by uncompromising product quality and a commitment to complete customer satisfaction.

"Brentwood brings tremendous insight as we embark on the next level of growth," said Sundance president and CEO Matey Erdos. "Their experience in direct marketing and multi-channel retail, as well as their track record of building consumer brands, is extremely relevant to our future success."

Sundance Catalog is the ninth acquisition by Brentwood Associates' latest fund, Brentwood Associates Private Equity IV, L.P. This follows Brentwood's recent successful exits of portfolio companies Array Marketing Group, Filson Holdings, and Ariat International.

"We see tremendous opportunity in the Sundance Catalog's direct-to-consumer channels as management is in the early stages of leveraging a vast e-commerce toolset to more effectively serve their customers," said William Barnum, Jr., a partner at Brentwood and co-founder of the firm's private equity effort.  "Furthermore, we believe the company's retail strategy represents a significant growth opportunity and an additional path to deeper brand penetration."

The acquisition is being partially funded through a combination of senior and subordinated debt.  OneWest Bank, FSB is acting as administrative agent for the senior credit facility, while GarMark Partners is providing the subordinated debt.  Brentwood was represented by Greenberg Traurig LLP in conjunction with the transaction.  The Company was advised by Lazard Middle Market LLC with legal advice from Kaye Scholer LLP.

Brentwood Associates