Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

LetsBuyIt.com, the on-line retailer, has managed to secure its future with € 52m (£33.1m) investment from existing shareholders and new investors. The identity of the new investors is not known; however it is thought that they do not include Kim Schmitz, the internet entrepreneur, who helped LetsBuyIt.com fight off bankruptcy last month.

This new investment will help LetsBuyIt.com get back on track. In January, as well as its near bankruptcy, most of the board resigned including Martin Coles, the chief executive.

The company is still suffering heavy losses. The new chief executive John Palmer, also the company’s founder, is now planning the relaunch of the company which will involve some restructuring. Last week, LetsBuyIt.com announced plans to sack 200 of its 350 staff and close most of its 12 European offices. The company believes that the new investment and the restructuring will help it to cover its losses and start making a profit in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Having suspended trade, the company will re-open its web sites in the near future, although it is not known exactly when.

We are processing your request. \n Thank you for your patience. An error occurred. This could be due to inactivity on the page - please try again.