CATALOG AGE has learned that Japanese pharmaceutical company Yamanouchi has invited potential buyers to bid on its Medford, OR-based Bear Creek Corp. division. Bear Creek owns food cataloger/retailer Harry and David and horticultural mailer Jackson & Perkins.
According to a source who requested anonymity, Bear Creek sent out an offering memorandum to a well-defined group of potential buyers to determine if it could sell the businesses. Prospective bidders have been invited to Bear Creek’s headquarters for a walk-through and to talk with management.
The source estimates that Bear Creek could fetch approximately $250 million-$500 million. According to CATALOG AGE 100 estimates, Bear Creek generated more than $500 million in sales last year.
Bear Creek would not comment for this story.