JOJO MAMAN BEBE acquired by NEXT PLC & DAVIDSON KEMPNER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The acquisition of My Jolie Candle by Emosia Group represents a strategic consolidation in the home fragrance sector, specifically designed to diversify the acquirer's product portfolio and accelerate its digital transformation. By integrating a successful Digitally Native Vertical Brand (DNVB), the acquirer secures a direct connection to a younger, millennial consumer base, effectively balancing its traditional retail distribution strengths with new e-commerce agility. The target’s innovative product concept complements the acquirer's existing high-end brand lineup, creating a robust, multi-generational portfolio. This transaction is structured to preserve the target's pioneering spirit and innovative culture while providing the operational scale and global distribution infrastructure of the larger group. Operationally, the deal grants the target immediate access to a vast international network of over 1,200 points of sale, significantly scaling its distribution reach beyond its native digital channels.

BC Partners, a European private equity firm, acquired a majority stake in Havea from 3i and Cathay Capital. The transaction is structured as a new Leveraged Buy‑Out, with BC Partners XI—the firm’s 11th flagship fund, closed at about EUR 5.3 billion—taking the lead and bringing in co‑investors PSP Investments from Canada and NPS Investment Management from South Korea as minority partners. 3i and Cathay Capital fully exit the position, while the management team led by CEO Nicolas Brodetsky reinvests alongside the new sponsors, aligning incentives for a second turn of value creation. Havea, formerly known as Ponroy Santé, had grown its revenue from a much lower base in 2017 to over EUR 212 million in 2021, with EBITDA rising to above EUR 70 million, driven by a double‑digit organic growth profile and a series of bolt‑on acquisitions that reshaped the group around five flagship brands: Aragan, Biolane, Densmore, Dermovitamina, and Vitavea. The board attributes the deal’s compelling valuation to favorable macro tailwinds in natural health, consumer‑healthcare structuring led by large pharmaceutical groups, and a strong, diversified brand portfolio with clear potential for European expansion.

Quilvest Capital Partners has acquired a minority stake in Les Secrets de Loly through an Owner Buy-Out (OBO). The transaction involves both a capital increase to fund growth and a cash-out for the founder, Kelly Massol, who retains the majority stake. Key managers also entered the capital. The deal aims to support the company's hyper-growth (revenue doubling annually) and international expansion, particularly in the Middle East and professional salon channels.

KKR launched a recommended cash offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Accell Group for EUR58.00 per share. The offer represents a premium of 26% over the closing price and 42% over the 3-month average. The deal is supported by Accell's Board and its two largest shareholders, Teslin (10.8%) and Hoogh Blarick (7.5%). The objective is to take the company private to accelerate the execution of its strategy (supply chain optimization, green mobility) away from public market volatility.

Embracer Group has finalized the acquisition of 100% of the capital of Asmodee from funds managed by PAI Partners and various minority shareholders. This landmark transaction marks a major diversification for Embracer, bringing a global leader in board games into its digital-heavy ecosystem. The transaction was structured with a massive upfront payment consisting of cash and newly issued Embracer B shares. To ensure management continuity, the founders and key minority shareholders retained a small interest subject to specific put and call options exercisable over a six-year period. This day one consideration creates a powerful alignment between the French management team and the Swedish parent company. Strategically, the acquisition transforms Embracer into a cross-media powerhouse, allowing for the cross-pollination of IP between physical board games and digital video game adaptations. Asmodee continues to operate as an independent operative group under its existing leadership, maintaining its organizational structure while gaining access to Embracer’s vast technical and financial resources.

Ardian Growth acquired a minority stake in Kapten & Son to support the company's international expansion and operational scaling. The investment was made through the EUR320 million Ardian Growth Fund II. The founders retained a majority stake to remain incentivized as they collaborate with Ardian on a strategic roadmap. This partnership focuses on further penetrating the German market followed by a targeted entry into the French market and eventually global expansion. The growth strategy includes a potential buy-and-build approach in niche segments and the co-development of new product lines, leveraging Ardian's pan-European network and digital expertise to transition the brand from a regional leader to a global lifestyle player.

HLD acquired a majority stake in Jimmy Fairly, allowing the exit of minority shareholders Experienced Capital (who held >40%) and historical seed investor Odyssee Venture. The founders reinvested significantly alongside HLD. The transaction concludes a competitive process managed by Lazard. HLD's entry aims to accelerate the brand's international expansion (beyond the UK) and scale the network to reach a revenue ambition of EUR500M in the long term.

Eurazeo and its partners invested �410M to acquire a majority stake in Aroma-Zone. The founding family remains significantly involved. Aroma-Zone, a French pioneer in aromatherapy, beauty, natural wellness, and DIY, is built on a digital model of direct-to-consumer sales. Founded in 1999 as an informational website about essential oils, Aroma-Zone is now one of the leading digital commercial platforms.

Permira agreed to acquire a majority stake in Golden Goose from The Carlyle Group, prevailing over rival bidder Advent International after a year-long negotiation process. This transaction represents a classic "Secondary Buyout," where a new private equity owner takes the baton to drive the next phase of growth. Under Carlyle's ownership (since 2017), Golden Goose had already doubled its revenue. Permira's strategic plan focuses on accelerating the brand's global expansion, particularly in the US and Asian markets, and shifting the business model further towards Direct-to-Consumer channels (both physical retail and e-commerce) to capture higher margins and control the brand experience.

3i Group agreed to invest approximately 125 million to acquire a majority stake in MPM alongside the existing management team. The transaction is built on a thesis of international expansion: 3i aims to use its global network and brand building expertise to accelerate MPM's growth in North America, a key strategic priority. The partnership also focuses on supporting product innovation and sustainability initiatives (such as recyclable packaging).