Sept 28 (Reuters) - Chico's FAS (CHS.N) will be taken private by Sycamore Partners for $938.1 million in an all-cash deal, the apparel retailer said on Thursday, sending its shares surging 63% in premarket trading. Sycamore is known to bet on retail and consumer investments and has stake in department store operator Belk, discount retailer Dollar Express and mall and web-based specialty retailer Hot Topic. The private equity firm has been trying to acquire Florida-based Chico's since 2015 after it failed to secure acceptable financing terms for its bid. In 2019, Sycamore had offered $407.8 million, which was eventually lowered to $350 million after Chico's financial performance worsened, but the deal was rejected by its shareholders. ..three brands Chico's, White House Black Market and Soma," Chico's CEO Molly Langenstein said.

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Persons: Sycamore, Molly Langenstein, Savyata Mishra, Sriraj Kalluvila, Arun Koyyur Organizations: Chico's FAS, Sycamore Partners, Chico's, Belk, Dollar Express, Barington Capital Group, Black, Thomson Locations: Sycamore, Florida, U.S, Bengaluru