BY Fraser Tennant
Due to what it describes as “significant operational challenges”, specialty mattress retailer Mattress Firm has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in order to strengthen its balance sheet and optimise its store footprint.
The filing at the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware gives the company access to new financing to support the business, establishes an efficient and orderly process for closing certain economically inefficient store locations, and provides for all trade creditors to continue being paid in full for goods and services provided.
Court documents reveal that Mattress Firm is projected to lose approximately $150m in fiscal year 2018. The company also has more than $1bn in liabilities and more than 50,000 creditors, with Atlanta-based mattress maker Simmons Manufacturing Co. its largest creditor at almost $65m.
“The process we have initiated will allow us to strengthen our balance sheet and accelerate the optimisation of our store portfolio,” said Steve Stagner, executive chairman, president and chief executive of Mattress Firm. “Leading up to the holiday shopping season, we will exit up to 700 stores in certain markets where we have too many locations in close proximity to each other.”
In conjunction with its restructuring plan, Mattress Firm has received commitments for approximately $250m in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, which, subject to court approval, will be available to support its ongoing operations during the Chapter 11 proceedings.
“We intend to use the additional liquidity from these actions to improve our product offering, provide greater value to our customers, open new stores in new markets, and strategically expand in existing markets where we see the greatest opportunities to serve our customers,” added Mr Stanger.
The company expects to complete the Chapter 11 restructuring process within two months and has announced commitments for $525m of senior secured credit facilities to fund its emergence from bankruptcy.
Founded in 1986, Mattress Firm has grown to be the largest specialty mattress retailer in the US, with stores in 49 states across the country. In 2016, the company was acquired by Steinhoff International Holdings, N.V.
Mr Stagner concluded: “We thank our suppliers and partners for their continued support. We will continue to provide unmatched value to our customers by offering the best quality beds at prices that fit any budget today, tomorrow and into the future.”
News: Steinhoff's Mattress Firm files for bankruptcy protection, closes stores