Bain Capital takes majority stake in Maisons du Monde

The transaction marks the sale of Maisons du Monde to Bain Capital, following a competitive process involving several private equity players, including Axa Private Equity and PAI Partners. LBO France, Apax Partners, and NiXEN Partners, which had held a stake in the group since the secondary LBO in 2008, are divesting their interest in this deal, while management retains a significant stake to ensure strategic and operational continuity. The founder also remains invested, providing stability to the entrepreneurial project and continuity of the brand's original vision. The financing for the transaction is based on a hybrid structure combining high-yield bond debt and bank financing. Bain Capital has opted for a bond issuance of approximately €330 million, abandoning an initial staple financing package structured by the sellers. The latter had included senior debt arranged by Natixis, UniCredit, and Société Générale, supplemented by a junior tranche provided by Euromezzanine and BNP Paribas. The change in ownership comes at a time when Maisons du Monde has completed a phase of rapid expansion, combining store openings and a significant increase in furniture sales, which now account for nearly 50% of the company's revenue. The group currently operates a network of over 200 stores and has a growing international presence, particularly in Southern Europe.