Samson Holding's Kuo to open Robb & Stucky stores in China

May also relaunch retailer in United States

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, June 1, 2011

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Samson Holding CEO Samuel Kuo and his family have acquired the name and other intellectual assets of Robb & Stucky with plans to open stores in China under the name, and may also reestablish the retailer in the United States.

Kuo said in a press release today that he was behind the winning $470,000 bid by Robb & Stucky International in last week's bankruptcy court auction for the intellectual assets last week.

Publicly held Samson Holding is the parent company of home furnishings importers Universal Furniture, Legacy Classic, Craftmaster, Lacquercraft Hospitality, Encore Furniture, Samson International and Willis & Gambler, and is an OEM suppler for a number of other U.S. brands. None appear on Robb & Stucky's list of largest unsecured creditors.

"Currently my family owns and operates a number of retail stores in China, so it is our plan to add Robb & Stucky into our retail portfolio and bring this reputable brand to Chinese consumers by opening the dedicated Robb & Stucky stores," Kuo said.

He added that his family also will consider "building an experienced and professional management team to re-open Robb & Stucky's retail business in the U.S. using its product niche, vendor structure and customer base."

With high-end stores in Florida, Dallas, Las Vegas and Glendale, Ariz., Fort Myers-based Robb & Stucky filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February and subsequently moved to full liquidation. Kuo's bid for the intellectual assets topped a $460,000 bid for the intellectual rights by former Robb & Stucky CEO Clive Lubner and son Dan Lubner.

Kuo added in the released, "This investment made by my family was based on our consideration of the prestigious image of Robb & Stucky name and its long history and expertise in high-end retail operation."

He said the "retail business of Robb & Stucky will not affect the U.S. wholesale operation and/or distribution of Samson Holding."