An attempt to take The Warehouse Group private has faltered at the first hurdle, with the deal launched by founder Sir Stephen Tindall and a private equity firm unable to gain support from another significant shareholder. 

“The current scheme of arrangement doesn’t have the critical shareholder backing it needs to proceed,” Warehouse chairwoman Joan Withers announced to the market on Friday afternoon. 

“With that in mind, the board has decided to defer further talks until such time as the proposal receives wider shareholder support.” 

In response to the news, shares in The Warehouse dropped by 13c or 9.2% to $1.28 late in the trading day. 

The $1.50 to $1.70 a share offer from Tindall and Adamantem Capital valued the retailer between $520 million and $590m - a premium to its near $490m market capitalisation on Friday. 

The offer needed to meet a 75% shareholder support threshold to progress. 

Tindall owned about 50% directly and indirectly, while another near 20% was owned by the Norman family, which owned retailers Farmers and James Pascoe. 

“A key shareholder has informed the board that they do not support the current terms, and therefore the requirement for 75% approval from shareholders in each interest class is not possible,” The Warehouse Group’s market statement read. 

David Norman told the Herald’s Stock Takes last week he was not prepared to comment on the offer. 

Tindall declined a Herald request for an interview to discuss the bid last week. 

• The Warehouse takeover offer drops: Is $590m a bargain?
• Supermarket plans? Sir Stephen Tindall in share bid for The Warehouse

The Warehouse Group chairwoman Joan Withers said the board was committed to working in the best interests of shareholders, in a market update on Friday. 

Withers’ comments on The Warehouse Group did not throw the offer out entirely. 

“While the board has not yet formed a view on value, we’re open to continue discussions if a further proposal generates shareholder support sufficient to make its execution viable,” she said. 

“We acknowledge the interest from Adamantem Capital and the backing from Sir Stephen Tindall, however, without broader shareholder support, it is not prudent for us to pursue this proposal further. 

“We’re committed to acting in the best interest of all our shareholders.” 

Madison Reidy is host and executive producer of the NZ Herald’s investment show Markets with Madison. She joined the Herald in 2022 after working in investment, and has covered business and economics for television and radio broadcasters.