Simpson Thacher is representing affiliates of KKR in connection with their entry into an agreement to acquire 1-800 Contacts, the largest retailer of contact lenses in the U.S. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
KKR is making the investment through its Core Investments strategy, which represents capital targeting longer-term opportunities.
1-800 Contacts is a pioneering direct-to-consumer brand and is the largest seller of contact lenses in the U.S., serving more than 20 million customers for the last 25 years. The growing portfolio of innovative 1-800 Contacts brands includes Liingo Eyewear, 6over6, Boomerang and Premium Vision.
The Simpson Thacher team includes Marni Lerner, Mark Viera, Brendan Montgomery and Jule Walsh (M&A); Ed Bersuder (Banking & Credit); Ryan Bekkerus (Capital Markets); Tristan Brown and Alyssa Ohanian (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Nancy Mehlman and Sarah Katz (Tax); Lori Lesser, Jeff Ostrow and Amber Harezlak (Intellectual Property); Krista McManus (Real Estate); Adeeb Fadil and Noreen Lavan (Environmental); and Sara Razi, Kelly Karapetyan and Nick Ingros (Antitrust).