August 22, 2008
CONSENSUS ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF 17 WHITEHALL STORES BY MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL
Boston, MA: Consensus is pleased to announce that its client, Michael Hill International, Ltd (NZX: MHI), has signed an agreement to acquire 17 stores from Whitehall Jewelers Holdings, Inc. The majority of the acquired stores are in the greater Chicago area, and two are located in Missouri.
Michael Hill International operates over 200 jewellery stores in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and is the most profitable publicly listed jeweller in Australia/New Zealand. This acquisition marks the Company’s first foray into the United States market, where it intends to hone its retail formula for future growth in the US.
‘We are delighted to have facilitated the introduction of a new and highly successful jewelry retailer into the US. We look forward to Michael Hill’s continuing growth as it enters its newest market” said Chris Ellis, the president of Consensus
Consensus represented Michael Hill in this transaction. An investment banking firm based in Boston specializing in complex transactions, Consensus’s retail and consumer products group is one of the leading practitioners within the global diamond and jewellery industry
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About Consensus: Consensus Advisors is a boutique investment banking and financial advisory firm based in Boston. We focus on complex transactions for companies undergoing significant transformation of their business models. Our professionals have decades of relevant industry experience representing and advising companies, entrepreneurs, investors, creditors and lenders in financial and brand equity transactions. We have extensive relationships with multiple resources necessary to help companies at every stage of development including commercial banks, private equity, venture capital and hedge funds, factors, investors in distressed assets, and real property and equipment lessors. Consensus approaches each engagement with discipline, diligence and confidentiality. All of our senior professionals have extensive advisory backgrounds, as well as years of experience as senior executives or principals of one or more operating companies.
Capital raising activities are undertaken through Consensus Securities LLC, a member of the FINRA and the SIPC.