Investment and Acquisition: WHP Global Proposes 13 Dollars per Share Buyout of Guess

Global brand management firm WHP Global has announced a proposal to take American fashion brand Guess Inc. private. The offer includes purchasing all publicly traded shares not already held by company cofounders Paul and Maurice Marciano and current CEO Carlos Alberini, at 13 dollars per share in cash. The proposed price represents a premium over the stock’s value prior to the announcement.

Currently, the Marciano brothers and Alberini together control more than 40 percent of Guess, meaning WHP would gain majority ownership if the transaction goes through, effectively taking the company private.

Who Is WHP Global and Why Guess?

WHP Global is a brand investment and operating platform backed by private equity firms including Oaktree Capital. It manages over 6 billion dollars in assets and owns several well known consumer brands such as Toys"R"Us, Anne Klein, and Joseph Abboud. In recent years, WHP has ramped up its focus on fashion, particularly on globally recognized but underperforming legacy brands.

Guess is attractive to WHP because of its strong global brand awareness, especially in Europe and Asia, where it maintains robust retail networks and distribution channels. Despite recent stagnation in North America, Guess still benefits from a diverse product portfolio spanning denim, accessories, and fragrances, along with a mature supply chain. WHP aims to revitalize Guess through brand repositioning, market optimization, and the operational flexibility afforded by being privately held.

While Guess has maintained stable revenue, it has struggled with declining profits and unclear brand positioning. In the previous fiscal year, the company generated nearly 2.6 billion dollars in revenue, but net income dropped, with notable pressure on its North American business. As a public company, Guess has been constrained by investor expectations for short term returns.

If WHP completes the buyout, Guess would be freed from the burden of quarterly financial reporting, creating room for longer term structural adjustments and product strategy refinement. This path has been followed successfully by other fashion players, including Tapestry, the parent of Coach and Kate Spade, which underwent brand revitalization during and after similar transitions.

Marciano Family to Retain Influence

Although the proposal would give WHP control, the Marciano family and Alberini are expected to retain a significant ownership stake and continue leading operations. The transaction thus resembles a collaborative privatization rather than a hostile takeover.

WHP has publicly stated its intention to maintain the existing management team and preserve the brand’s core aesthetic while driving global operational restructuring and digital transformation. Future strategies may include revising North American channel distribution, improving inventory efficiency, and increasing investment in emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Regulatory and Shareholder Approvals Ahead

The deal is currently in the early stages. WHP has submitted a nonbinding proposal to the Guess board. The transaction is subject to review by a special committee and requires approval from non affiliated shareholders.

Following the announcement, Guess shares surged to near the offer price, indicating cautious optimism among investors. If completed, the company will be delisted and added to WHP Global’s expanding brand portfolio.

A Turning Point for a Legacy Brand

From its iconic role in 1990s denim culture to its more recent efforts to redefine itself as a lifestyle and sensual fashion brand, Guess has long occupied a unique yet peripheral space in fashion. WHP’s buyout proposal could be the brand’s opportunity to escape that limbo. Returning to private ownership may allow Guess to reevaluate its positioning, streamline its operations, and align more closely with today’s digital consumer landscape.

Whether this marks the beginning of a true Guess revival remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly signals a new phase in the brand’s evolution.