March 17 (Reuters) - Guess said on Monday it had

received a take-private offer from brand management firm WHP

Global of $13 per share.

WHP Global has offered to buy Guess' outstanding shares,

except those owned by co-founders Paul Marciano and Maurice

Marciano and CEO Carlos Alberini. The three together owned

roughly 43% of the company, according to LSEG data.

The proposal from WHP Global, which owns Toys "R" Us and

fashion labels such as Anne Klein and Vera Wang, represents a

premium of 34% to Guess' Friday close.

Shares of Guess jumped 31% in early trading on Monday. The

company had a market value of about $500 million, as of Friday.

The company has formed a special committee to evaluate the

proposal, it said, adding there was no guarantee of a deal.

WHP Global, founded in 2019 by retail industry veteran

Yehuda Shmidman in partnership with funds managed by Oaktree

Capital Management, acquires global consumer brands.

Guess had partnered with WHP Global to acquire New

York-based designer handbag maker brand Rag & Bone in April

2024.