Sharper Image Corp to get new owners through bankruptcy auction

The Sharper Image Corp. has won court approval to sell itself in a bankruptcy auction later this month, according to court documents.

Photo: Sharper Image Corp to get new owners through bankruptcy auction

Sharper Image Corp to get new owners through bankruptcy auction

A joint venture between private investment groups won the right to be the "stalking horse bidder" for the retailer of high-end gadgets and assets, the group said on Wednesday.

In a stalking-horse bid, the bankrupt company chooses the entity from a pool of bidders to make the first bid for its assets.

The joint venture, led by Toronto-based investment firm Hilco Consumer Capital and a unit of Boston-based liquidation firm Gordon Brothers, will receive a break-up fee of as much as 2 percent of the purchase price if the deal does not go through, according to court documents.

The firms said in a statement they had developed a licensing strategy for The Sharper Image brand and will partner with several global institutions to continue development of the company.

Windsong Brands LLC and Crystal Capital also partnered to buy the retailer through the bid.

The auction will be held on May 28, the documents showed.

The Sharper Image had put itself up for sale last month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, saying a sale was the best route given the weak U.S. economy and tight credit.