HOTEL CHOCOLAT GROUP acquired by MARS

Snowleader raised EUR15 million in a new funding round led by 123 Investment Managers, with participation from historic banking partners (Credit Agricole des Savoie via Oxygene and Bpifrance). This capital injection is designed to support a massive industrial scaling project. Specifically, the funds will finance the construction of a new 25,000 sqm automated logistics center in Le Versoud (near Grenoble) to triple shipping capacity. Additionally, the roadmap includes accelerating international sales (aiming for 40% export) and expanding the physical retail network in strategic European cities.

Torqx Capital Partners has successfully completed the acquisition of a majority share in Beter Bed Holding, effectively transitioning the company from a public listing to a private ownership structure. The deal was conducted in partnership with three major existing shareholders who have retained their stakes to support the new ownership constellation. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to remove the company from the public markets to allow the management team to accelerate the execution of its "sleep specialist" growth strategy without the constraints of quarterly reporting. Under Torqx’s guidance, Beter Bed plans to significantly increase investments in its proprietary brands, digital transformation, and international wholesale expansion. This transition is intended to promote long-term value creation by focusing on product quality and customer advocacy in the competitive Benelux bedding market.

The French sustainable furniture e-tailer Tikamoon organizes a secondary LBO ("LBO Bis") to reshuffle its cap table. The financial investor Edmond de Rothschild Equity Strategies (ERES), present since 2020, exits entirely. It is replaced by the LFPI Group, which takes a minority stake alongside the founders, who remain majority shareholders. This operation aims to finance an ambitious growth plan ("TikaGreen") targeting EUR300 million in revenue by 2027, including international expansion and the potential opening of physical stores.

Matas signed a definitive agreement with Axel Johnson to acquire 100% of KICKS Group. Executed on a bilateral basis, this 100% equity transfer consolidates the KICKS and Skincity retail banners under a single corporate umbrella. The transaction was fully debt financed within existing gearing targets to ensure capital efficiency. The transaction incorporates an operational platform consisting of approximately 1,700 employees, an retail infrastructure network of 226 physical stores across Sweden, Norway, and Finland, alongside an active customer ecosystem serving 3.3 million loyalty club members. The transaction combines Matas’ market leadership in Denmark with KICKS Group’s retail footprint in Sweden and Norway to build a pan-Nordic health and beauty platform. The post-closing industrial strategy targets operational consolidation across IT infrastructure, administrative functions, and supply chain logistics, backed by a new automated warehouse facility in Rosersberg, Sweden. This unified infrastructure will support an accelerated omni-channel e-commerce expansion to manage a combined base of 5 million club members and nearly 500 stores.

Asda Group has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the UK and Ireland operations of EG Group, representing a transformational step in its strategic expansion into the convenience and foodservice markets. The transaction involves the integration of approximately 350 petrol filling station sites and over 1,000 food-to-go locations into a consolidated retail group. This combination is designed to create a value-led consumer champion, significantly increasing the accessibility of competitive pricing for fuel and groceries to a broader customer base. The strategic rationale for the move is rooted in the high growth potential of the convenience sector, driven by the rise of local shopping and demand for immediate consumption products. The acquisition will allow for the rollout of specialized convenience formats across the newly acquired estate, leveraging a heritage in low-cost retailing to serve millions of weekly visitors more effectively. To support the integration and future growth, the involved shareholders have committed to providing significant additional equity. The merged entity anticipates generating substantial synergies through economies of scale, improved procurement, and cross-selling opportunities across its omni-channel platform. This move strengthens the group’s financial profile and positions it to benefit from attractive structural drivers in the retail and foodservice industries.

JD Sports submitted a binding offer to acquire 100% of Courir from the private equity firm Equistone Partners Europe. The transaction values the French company at an Enterprise Value of EUR520 million. For Equistone, this exit represents a remarkable success: the fund had acquired Courir in 2018 (a carve-out from Go Sport) for EUR283 million, transforming it into an autonomous and highly profitable player. The acquisition allows JD Sports to significantly strengthen its presence in France and integrate a brand with a strong female identity, which complements JD's historically more male-focused positioning.

Geneo Capital Entrepreneur, alongside MACSF and Eximium, has acquired a stake in i-Run. This transaction aims to support the group's expansion (with the goal of opening 20 additional stores in France), strengthen its omnichannel strategy, and improve its digital platform in order to maintain its leadership in the specialized running retail market.

The specialist in online distribution and sales of outdoor sports equipment is accelerating its growth with a primary LBO and opening up its capital to IDI and Garibaldi Participations.

LBO France acquired a majority stake in Alliance Marine from Weinberg Capital Partners (who had backed the company since 2016). The management team reinvested significantly in the new structure to ensure continuity. The deal was financed with a mix of equity and senior debt. The exit provided a strong return for Weinberg, who oversaw the group doubling in size during their tenure. The new shareholder's roadmap focuses on continuing the aggressive external growth strategy to create a global platform.

Ciclad acquired a majority stake in Ceradel from its founding shareholders in a transaction advised by Clairfield International. The deal was structured as a Leveraged Buy-Out (LBO) aimed at reorganizing the capital structure to facilitate the exit of historical shareholders while bringing in financial firepower for expansion. The new strategic roadmap focuses on accelerating digitalization (e-commerce growth) and pursuing a "Buy-and-Build" strategy to consolidate the fragmented European market for ceramic supplies.