Adds analyst comment in paragraphs 9-10
By Arasu Kannagi Basil and Ateev Bhandari
Jan 26 (Reuters) - Bob's Discount Furniture, backed by private equity firm Bain Capital, said on Monday it was targeting a valuation of up to $2.48 billion in its U.S. initial public offering, setting the stage to test investor appetite for consumer-focused companies.
The Manchester, Connecticut-based home furnishings retailer is seeking up to $369.6 million by offering 19.45 million shares priced between $17 and $19 apiece.
Dealmakers anticipate IPO activity from retailers and consumer-goods companies to rebound in 2026 after U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs dampened activity last year.
Jennifer Garner-backed children's organic food company Once Upon a Farm and electrical equipment maker Forgent Power also launched U.S. listing roadshows on Monday, reflecting a robust pipeline of companies entering public markets.
Bob's journey began in 1991 as a small store in Connecticut and has grown into one of the biggest U.S. furniture chains, with over 200 showrooms nationwide.
It offers a wide range of home furnishings, including bedroom and dining room sets, reclining furniture and table lamps.
The company posted strong growth and is profitable, but remains exposed to tariffs as it sources most of its products from overseas suppliers.
It shifted key production out of China by the end of fiscal 2024, and Vietnam is now among its major sourcing markets.
"For Bob's, investors are likely to see tariff risk as largely mitigated following its exit from China sourcing," said IPOX vice president Kat Liu.
"While tariffs remain across other sourcing regions and freight costs, the stock could still see volatility tied more to sentiment than to actual margin impact."
The company has been under private equity ownership for the past two decades, with Bain purchasing Bob's in 2014 from buyout firms KarpReilly and Apax Partners.
J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley are joint-lead book-running managers. The company will list on the NYSE under the symbol "BOBS".
(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil and Ateev Bhandari in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com;))