Warburg Pincus makes equity investment in Kidswant

Private equity firm Warburg Pincus said on July 31 that it will make an equity investment of $55 million in China Kidswant Investment Holdings Co Ltd to help expand its stores and geographic coverage.

The number of shares Warburg Pincus will hold in the company was not disclosed.

Headquartered in Nanjing, Kidswant is an emerging maternity, infant and children specialty retailer.

"We are excited about building on Kidswant's success and look forward to working closely with Chairman Wang and his best-in-class management team to further strengthen its market position within China's specialty retail sector," said Li Hui, a managing director at Warburg Pincus.

"Warburg Pincus' investment in Kidswant is a clear indication of its strong conviction in the company's growth potential," said Wang Jianguo, chairman of Kidswant.

Warburg Pincus has invested in many companies since its first investment in China in 1994 including 7 Days Inn, Intime Department Store and Red Star Macalline.

Since 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 13 funds and has invested more than $40 billion in over 650 companies in more than 30 countries. The firm has $30 billion of total assets under management.