Lessons from Jones the Grocer's collapse

Singapore

A LAWSUIT, bad debts and insolvency - these don't faze Ravi Thakran. For there are lessons even in adversity, the managing partner of L Capital Asia believes.

"We learn from every experience and many times the not-so-successful ones teach you more than the successful ones," he said of Jones the Grocer's highly watched fall from grace.

Jones The Grocer International (JTG), the Singapore arm of the L Capital-backed Australian gourmet grocer, has been under judicial management since November for being unable to pay unadjudicated debts amounting to close to S$19 million. Its two assets were put up for public sale in April.

L Capital's initial investment in Jones The Grocer in 2012, along with investments in three other Australian brands, was part of the Asian private equity firm's strat…