FRENCH FOOD CAPITAL & BPIFRANCE take majority stake in SABRE PARIS

Coty has sold its remaining 25.8% stake in hair care brand Wella to KKR for $750 million, while retaining its rights to a portion of the proceeds from any future sale or initial public offering. This transaction marks the end of a program launched in 2020 to simplify Coty's portfolio and operations, and allows the company to reduce its debt and refocus on its fragrance segment. KKR's strategy is based on identifying companies with long-term growth potential, and creating value for shareholders through proactive management and expertise in value creation

HSG acquired a majority controlling stake in Golden Goose from Permira in a transaction valuing the company at approximately EUR2.5 billion. This deal serves as a strategic alternative to the IPO that was withdrawn in 2024. The industrial logic is clear: bringing in HSG and Temasek provides Golden Goose with unparalleled access to the Chinese and Asian markets, which are critical for the brand's next phase of growth. Permira retains a minority stake to benefit from this future upside.

Platinum Equity acquired XD Connects from Rivean Capital (formerly Gilde Buy Out Partners). The deal was structured as a merger with Solo Group to create a market leader with a ~10% market share in Europe. The combined group serves 20,000+ customers, offering a "one-stop shop" for both hard goods (XD Connects' strength) and personalizable textiles (Solo's strength).

KKR has finalized the 100% acquisition of Karo Healthcare from the EQT VIII fund in a transaction initially announced in April 2025. The strategic rationale for KKR is to capitalize on a pan-European platform already structured for significant scale. Following a period where revenues quadrupled under EQT, Karo is entering an international acceleration phase. KKR plans to leverage its global footprint to deepen Karo’s reach across new distribution channels and geographies, while continuing to consolidate the fragmented sector through targeted bolt-on acquisitions

Partners Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in MPM Products, the owner of premium cat food brands Applaws, Reveal, and Encore, from 3i Group. This acquisition marks the next phase of global expansion for the Manchester-based company. Under the previous four-year partnership with 3i, MPM successfully transformed from a UK-centric business into a true international player, with 80% of its sales now coming from overseas markets like the USA and APAC. The company also shifted its channel mix, securing shelf space in major food and drug retailers while accelerating its online presence

Kontoor Brands has completed the acquisition of 100% of Helly Hansen, marking a transformative step in the group’s portfolio expansion strategy. This acquisition significantly increases Kontoor’s geographic diversification, particularly in Europe and the technical outdoor segment, while providing a powerful "third pillar" alongside Wrangler and Lee. The strategic rationale for the deal is to capitalize on the high-growth "Technical Workwear" and "Outdoor" categories, where Helly Hansen holds a leading global position

Platinum Equity acquired 100% of Solo Group from the founder and management. Shortly after, Platinum acquired Dutch competitor XD Connects and merged it with Solo under a new holding entity (Sun II Ltd.). The combined group manages the entire value chain from product development and global procurement to on-demand printing and fulfillment for over 20,000 B2B customers.

Levi Strauss & Co. agreed to sell Dockers to Authentic Brands Group. The transaction transfers the Dockers brand out of Levi Strauss’ portfolio and into Authentic’s intellectual-property-led model, with the operational rollout expected to be handled through licensing and partner relationships rather than through a traditional owned-retail structure. The strategic rationale is straightforward. For Levi Strauss, the divestment supports portfolio simplification and allows management to focus on its core Levi’s and Beyond Yoga brands, while also aligning capital allocation with direct-to-consumer priorities and international growth

The Briconord Group acquires Scell-it, a strategic move that strengthens its position in the professional fastening market. This acquisition is the 6th build-up for Briconord in recent years. By integrating Scell-it, Briconord expands its product portfolio to include high-tech fastening systems and tools, creating strong cross-selling opportunities across its European distribution networks. This transaction was completed simultaneously with the group's capital reorganization led by Oddo BHF.

Ushopal acquired 100% of Payot from LBO France (which held 80% since 2014) and the management team. The transaction concludes a long holding period marked by two previously aborted sales processes (2019 and 2021) due to the pandemic and geopolitical risks in Russia. Ushopal, which initially approached Payot for a distribution partnership in China, eventually opted for a full acquisition to leverage the brand's heritage and professional skincare expertise in the Asian market.