[Update as of January 23, 2026] Authentic Brands Group and Guess? have completed the transaction to take Guess? private, with all details of the deal in line with what was originally announced last August.
“Through Authentic’s proven brand-building platform, Guess? will gain access to opportunities and environments where consumers have yet to experience the brand,” said Matt Maddox, President of Authentic in a statement. “This includes a scaled platform to support category and geographic expansion, studio-led content development and immersive live experiences that deepen consumer connection.”
“We see significant potential to enhance the customer experience, strengthen our brand partnerships and elevate our industry leadership in this new chapter as a private company,” said Carlos Alberini, Guess? CEO, in a statement. “With Authentic’s support, Guess? will have enhanced flexibility and additional resources to unlock new growth opportunities for our business on the path ahead.”
Original story from August 20, 2025 begins-
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Guess? Will Go Private in Deal Valuing Brand at $1.4 Billion
Guess? has partnered with Authentic Brands Group to go private in a transaction that values the apparel brand at approximately $1.4 billion. Authentic, which owns 50+ global brands generating approximately $32 billion in annual revenues at retail, will acquire 51% of “substantially all” of the Guess? intellectual property, while a group of “rolling stockholders” that includes Co-founders Maurice and Paul Marciano as well as CEO Carlos Alberini will own the remaining 49% of the brand’s IP. Current Guess? management will continue to run the business and own 100% of the operating company.
The remaining Guess? shareholders will receive $16.76 per share in cash, higher than the $13 per share offered in March 2025 by WHP Global in a non-binding offer for the brand. In February 2024 Guess? and WHP Global had teamed up to buy Rag & Bone.
Guess? directly operates nearly 1,100 stores in Europe, the Americas and Asia, and its partners and distributors operated an additional 527 stores worldwide.
“Over our 44-year history, Guess? has established itself as a global leader in the fashion industry, and today marks another significant milestone on our journey,” said Paul Marciano, Guess? Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer in a statement. “Guess? has always worked to create a strong network of licensing partners, and joining forces with Authentic – the world’s second-largest licensor with a powerful lifestyle and entertainment platform – will enable us to build on this foundation and expand our reach as a global lifestyle brand.”
“As a private company benefiting from the perspectives of a globally recognized licensing partner, Guess? will have enhanced flexibility to navigate today’s complex operating environment and execute on a more targeted, long-term strategy, enabling us to even better serve customers around the world,” said Alberini in statement.
