SOFA chain DFS Furniture said it plans to return to the London Stock Exchange more than a decade after it was taken into private hands. The Doncaster-based business, which was founded in 1969 and now has 105 stores in Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands, said it plans to raise £105 million to pay off debts. It is expected to have a valuation near £1 billion.
DFS's private equity owner Advent International, which has been involved in the business since 2010, intends to sell down some of its stake. The move comes after smaller rival ScS floated on the London market last month valuing it at £70 million. DFS plans to complete its float next month.