E-Commerce Acquisitions in Utah

The Buy Build Fund has acquired Prints of Love, an online print marketplace specializing in wedding cards, baby announcements and other custom print products. The acquisition will enable Prints of Love to leverage The Buy Build Fund's digital strategy and operational expertise to expand product offerings and accelerate growth.

Centre Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, has acquired KNS International, a Draper, Utah-based designer and drop-shipper of branded footwear. Tower Arch Capital sold KNS to an affiliate of Centre Partners; KNS founder and CEO Jeremy Pope and management invested alongside Centre Partners and will continue to lead the business.

Pattern, the Lehi, Utah–based ecommerce and marketplace acceleration platform, received a $225 million minority growth equity investment led by growth investor Knox Lane with pro‑rata participation from existing investors. The capital will be used to further develop Pattern’s technology and services platform and extend its global presence across marketplaces and direct‑to‑consumer channels. J.P. Morgan served as placement agent; advisors named include William Blair, Jones Day and Kirkland & Ellis.

Global investment firm KKR has agreed to acquire 1-800 Contacts, the largest U.S. contact lens retailer, from AEA Investors. The deal funds continued growth of 1-800 Contacts' direct-to-consumer platform and telemedicine capabilities, including products such as ExpressExam and recent acquisitions like 6over6 and Liingo.

An investor group of private entrepreneurs — Charlie Johnson, Will Armenta and Ebi Lange — acquired 4FRNT Ski Company from Jason Levinthal on July 31, 2020. 4FRNT is a direct-to-consumer ski manufacturer that transitioned from traditional retail distribution to an ecommerce DTC model prior to the sale; terms were not disclosed.

Carlson Private Capital Partners led an investment in Pattern, a global ecommerce marketplace platform founded by Melanie Alder and David Wright, with co-investments from KSV Global, Ainge Advisory, and Duchossois Capital Management. The growth capital injection is intended to support Pattern’s expansion and its data-driven marketplace services that help brands grow profitability across marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, eBay and international channels.