White Stuff founders exploring a sale - report

The founders of fashion retailer White Stuff are reportedly exploring a potential sale.

According to Sky News, George Treves and Sean Thomas have engaged investment bank Rothschild to field offers following the receipt of an unsolicited approach from a prospective buyer.

City sources told Sky the pair had not committed to a sale of the chain and that a decision to do so would depend on the valuation it attracted.

One analyst suggested that the company could be worth around £50m.

White Stuff has steadily built a prominent presence on Britain's high streets, and now trades from more than 100 shops.

Employing 1,200 people, the company is run by Jo Jenkins, who ran clothing and beauty at Marks & Spencer until she quit to join White Stuff in 2017.

White Stuff now has partnerships with retail giants including M&S, John Lewis and Next, with total sales up more than 13% during its last financial year.

The company is wholly owned by its founders, who began their partnership by selling T-shirts door to door.

A spokesman for White Stuff declined to comment to Sky.