Alternative investment management firm Davidson Kempner, which owns Oak Furnitureland, is in talks with Superdry co-founder Julian Dunkerton about backing an offer for the fashion label.

According to Sky News, the discussions are at a preliminary stage and there is no guarantee an agreement will be reached.

Dunkerton was also reported to be in talks with Retail Realisation – backed by the founder of turnaround investor Rcapital – among some other firms regarding a potential bid to take the brand private.

UK-headquartered Superdry was founded in 2003 and opened its first store in London in the following year. The business was listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2010.

Dunkerton stepped down as CEO of the company in 2014 but returned to the board in 2019. He currently owns less than 30 per cent of the firm’s stake.

The label has been struggling with weak demand and reported a 13.7 per cent decline in group sales in the Christmas quarter, Reuters reported. Superdry’s stock dropped 73 per cent in 2023.

Davidson Kempner, Superdry and Dunkerton declined to comment.