US private equity firm Carlyle has launched an auction for multi-brand online retailer The Very Group, after buying it for only £1 in November 2025.
According to reports in The Telegraph, Carlyle has kicked off a £2 billion sale of the heavily indebted retailer.
Earlier this month, another American firm Elliott Advisors, which owns Waterstones, showed interest in taking on The Very Group.
These latest reports of Carlyle looking to offload The Very Group are just the latest rumblings. In January, it was reported to be considering an auction of the retail site which sells clothing, beauty, homeware and electrical goods under the Very and Littlewoods banners.
Very’s interim results, for the 39 weeks ending 28 March 2026, were positive with retail revenue growing 0.1 per cent year-on-year to £1 billion. The etailer’s sports category saw 7.5 per cent growth.
However, its overall fashion segment dropped 4.5% in what it described as a “tough market”. Group retail sales, including revenue from its Littlewoods and Very Ireland brands, also fell 1.6 per cent to £1.2 billion.
Carlyle, and The Very Group, have yet to comment.
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