Former Carlyle affiliate Vitamin World declared bankruptcy according to CTPost
In a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Holbrook, N.Y.-based Vitamin World blamed underperforming stores, above-market rents and unspecified disruptions in its base of suppliers.Centre Lane Partner bought Vitamin World in February 2016 from Carlyle Group affiliate NBTY, also known as Nature's Bounty. At the time of the sale the Carlyle team stated:
"With the shift of NBTY's focus in our US business to investing in and building our core brands, this sale of Vitamin World to Centre Lane Partners will ensure Vitamin World has the right investment and focus on its future as a stand-alone retail business."Centre Lane paid $25 million for Vitamin World
Vitamin World lists as its largest unsecured creditor The Nature’s Bounty Co., owed $21.5 million.It's not clear how much of the amount owed is from the sale or from store inventory. The bankruptcy filing shows the $21.5 million owed is debt from the sale plus trade. The current obligation is 86% of the $25 million purchase price.
In the Petition, Vitamin World reports $50 million to $100 million in assets and $10 million to $50 million in liabilities. This statement does not fit with the filing document which shows a $125 million unsecured claim by 10th Lane Partners, LLC. 10th Lane is part of Centre Lane Partners. Quinn Morgan heads both Centre Lane and 10th Lane.
Reuters reported last week the likelihood of a bankruptcy as a way to get out of leases on unprofitable stores.I'll bet Vitamin World meets its $125 million financial commitment to its owners, Centre Lane and 10th Lane.
Update 9-13-17: Store closures and renegotiating lower rent is the aim of the filing.
