Limited Brands (Columbus, Ohio) has sold its remaining 25 percent stake in The Limited, the store franchise it arose from, to Sun Capital Partners, the retailer’s majority owner.
The sale will give complete control of the 220-store chain to Sun Capital (Boca Raton, Fla.), which has focused on turning the retailer around since its purchase in 2007. Last November, the retailer reported its pretax annual earnings were positive for the first time since 1993.
The Limited was founded in 1963 by Leslie H. Wexner, eventually becoming Limited Brands, a retailing house that now includes Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and Henri Bendel brands. In 2007, the company sold a 75 percent stake in The Limited to Sun Capital, while the other brands remain part of Limited Brands.
The Limited plans to add 10 stores this year and 15 to 20 in 2011.