Private equity firm Silver Lake Technology Management, L.L.C. is preparing to explore a sale of Global Blue Group Holding AG (NYSE:GB), a company that enables retailers to offer tax-free shopping, after receiving expressions of interest from potential acquirers, people familiar with the matter said. The deliberations come as Global Blue recovers from the air travel slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which weighed on duty-free shopping. It still faces headwinds, including price inflation and the prospect of an economic recession in Europe, which the company says it can tackle.

Silver Lake has hired an investment bank to explore options for Global Blue, which include a sale or capital market transactions, the sources said. Other companies and private equity firms have shown interest in acquiring Global Blue, the sources added. The sources cautioned that a deal isn't certain and asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

Silver Lake declined to comment, while Global Blue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.