Sycamore Partners acquires German retailer with a rock bent

New York -- Sycamore Partners is rocking.

The company has acquired E.M.P. Merchandising Handelsgesellschaft mbH ("EMP") a Germany-based multichannel retailer of rock music- and entertainment-inspired apparel and accessories.



EMP, which sells throughout Europe on its website and also has four stores, will operate as an independent business under Sycamore’s umbrella. Ernst Trapp, CEO of EMP, and Jan Fischer, CFO, will remain with the company and manage the business.



"We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Sycamore Partners," said Trapp. "Sycamore has extensive multichannel retailing experience and knowledge of the music- and entertainment-inspired apparel and accessories world. We believe this makes them an ideal partner as we look to grow our business, while continuing to operate as we always have – with a deep appreciation for our employees, customers and business partners."



Notably, Sycamore's portfolio also includes the music-inspired, teen fave Hot Topic, which operates more than 650 stores in the U.S. and Canada.