Canadian apparel maker Gildan Activewear has reportedly won a bankruptcy auction to buy U.S. fashion retailer American Apparel for approximately $88 million in cash. The purchase of the LA-based brand is now subject to approval from a bankruptcy court, which Gildan expects to be issued on Thursday. Under the deal, Gildan will acquire all intellectual property rights related to the American Apparel brand as well as manufacturing equipment – but the purchase does not include any of the brand's 110 retail stores. After the company's turnaround plan failed, American Apparel filed its second Chapter 11 in November, having amassed apporximately $177 million in debt. According to Raymond James analysts, the deal seems promising for the Canadian manufacturer, saying “With Gildan dominating in the basics category of the $4.5 billion print-wear market, the fashion and performance categories represent particularly attractive growth opportunities.”
