Japanese Firm Acquires Stake in Leslie’s Poolmart

A Japanese chemicals company has acquired a 5.1% stake in Leslie’s Poolmart, a Chatsworth-based chain of swimming pool-supplies stores.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shikoku Chemicals Corp. said it now owns 280,000 shares of Leslie’s, including 70,000 shares purchased between Oct. 5 and Nov. 2 at prices ranging from $6 to $7.25 a share.

Shikoku said it bought the stock as an investment. Leslie’s operates 144 stores in 26 states and a nationwide mail-order catalogue service.