Bain Capital-backed Bob’s Discount Furniture has filed confidentially for a US initial public offering, as private equity sponsors test reopening equity markets for consumer-facing exits, according to Reuters.

The US furniture retailer submitted its draft registration statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission without disclosing the size or timing of the proposed listing, according to a filing. Bain Capital acquired a controlling stake in Bob’s Discount Furniture in 2021, backing the company’s store expansion and operational initiatives.

The IPO filing comes amid tentative signs of recovery in US equity markets after a prolonged slowdown in new listings. Private equity firms have been sitting on large portfolios of mature assets as volatile markets and rising interest rates delayed exits through both IPOs and strategic sales.

Bob’s Discount Furniture operates more than 150 stores across the US, offering value-priced furniture and home accessories. The company competes with national chains and regional players in a sector that has faced pressure from weaker consumer spending and higher input costs.

For Bain Capital, the filing marks a potential route to liquidity after several years of ownership, highlighting renewed efforts by buyout firms to access public markets as valuations stabilise.

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