Entrepreneur Luciano Donatelli is aware that giant groups are interested in taking control of Brooks Brothers, but he is undeterred. Donatelli has quickly put together a group of investors under the Club Deal 8 moniker, including online retailer Giglio Group, the Biella-based Gruppo Verzoletto, and a silk group from Como that has requested anonymity for the time being.
“We have had requests from 32 international investors that are keen to be part of Club Deal 8, but we will eventually select seven or eight of them,” said Donatelli, adding that the investors are already in Brooks Brothers’ data room. Donatelli said the online business was a strong trend even before the COVID-19 emergency and one that can fit with the centuries-old classic men’s wear retailer, supporting “a slimmer distribution model, stores no bigger than 2,160 square feet, with few fixed costs, fewer employees and general expenses.
“I am thinking of the Jeep example, which bridges Italian craft with the American myth,” he mused. “This can be a new renaissance for Brooks Brothers,” he mused.