Links of London, the jewellery firm, is eyeing up a potential flotation on the London stock market which analysts reckon could value it at up to £100 million.
This follows a 28 per cent rise in sales last year including a strong Christmas. Sales for the year are likely to top £76 million, up from £60 million in 2008 and £45 million in 2007.
Greek jewellery, watches and accessories group Folli Follie bought Links for €45 million (£40 million) in July 2006.
Folli Follie, which is listed on the Athens stock market, is particularly strong in the Far East but also has outlets in London and the US.
Sources close to Links said its parent was considering options including flotation, a trade sale and doing nothing. The two business are closely entwined, sharing distribution and purchasing channels. Any flotation could be early in 2011 and is likely to see existing management being given shares.
Today Links said last year’s sales “are expected to be up in excess of 28 per cent on the prior year”.
Andrew Marshall, chief executive, said: “We not only had an excellent Christmas trading period, but a great year as a whole producing record sales.
“That was in no small part due to the increasing recognition by our customers, both in the UK and internationally, of our uniquely adopted and strict ethos of providing honest luxury’.”
Links has 42 shops in Britain and 44 overseas.
(source: this is london)
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