PAYOT acquired by USHOPAL GROUP

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. For Authentic, Dockers is a strong fit because it brings heritage, name recognition, and an established licensing base, all of which are consistent with the group’s buy-and-build approach to consumer brands. The deal also provides flexibility to extend the brand across categories and geographies under a lighter operating model.

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.

BC Partners acquired a majority stake in PetLab Co. from its co-founders, who retained a significant minority investment in the business. The transaction leverages BC Partners’ specialized knowledge in the pet ecosystem—specifically its experience in scaling Chewy Health—to accelerate the target's international expansion and product innovation. The deal highlights the continued institutional interest in the pet "humanization" trend and the high-margin, recurring revenue profiles of subscription-based pet wellness brands. The collaboration is intended to drive the next stage of the company's growth by expanding its R&D capabilities and market presence.

The transaction involves the 100% sale of The Kooples by MF Brands Group to Verdoso, a French industrial group specializing in the turnaround and transformation of distressed assets. This strategic exit allows the seller to offload a non-core, loss-making fashion label and refocus on its global premium brands like Lacoste. The strategic rationale for the buyer is the acquisition of a globally recognized brand at a potential valuation discount, with the aim of restoring its "glam rock" appeal and operational efficiency. This move reflects a wider trend in the "accessible luxury" sector, where players are forced to consolidate or sell as they struggle with high fixed costs and a cooling consumer appetite.

Permira, the global private equity firm, has agreed to acquire a 40% minority stake in K-Way, the iconic French outerwear brand, from its Italian parent company BasicNet. This partnership is designed to unlock the next phase of K-Way's global expansion. BasicNet, which acquired the distressed brand in 2004 and successfully repositioned it from a functional utility item into a premium lifestyle label (generating EUR147.7 million in revenue in 2023), sought a partner with deep consumer expertise to scale operations internationally.

Harvia acquired 100% of ThermaSol in an all-cash, debt-free transaction. The acquisition addresses a recognised strategic gap in Harvia's product portfolio — the company had historically held a strong position in traditional sauna heaters but a significantly weaker position in steam and infrared saunas, segments identified as difficult to enter organically as communicated at Harvia's Capital Markets Day in spring 2024. The US was already Harvia's largest market prior to the transaction, and ThermaSol's established brand and distribution presence in the steam segment provides Harvia with an immediate and meaningful platform to accelerate its growth in this category. Harvia expects to leverage its historical track record of improving acquired companies' profitability and growth trajectory to enhance ThermaSol's margins toward group levels over time.

The exit of L&S from the Clessidra Capital Partners 3 portfolio represents a successful structural maturation of an Italian design champion into a global industrial leader. The strategic rationale for this transaction centers on a "market-consolidation" play, leveraging the target's industry-leading technical operational depth in embedded LED systems to fuel a new phase of international buy-and-build activity. This structural alignment provides the organization with the institutional capital and global network of the new sponsor, which is required to address the increasing complexity of smart-home integration and sustainable commercial lighting.

Ardian is acquiring a majority stake in Groupe Hameur (Magimix and Robot-Coupe) from the De Jenlis Family. The transaction was structured as a primary LBO following a competitive auction process managed by investment banks. The process initially attracted interest from both strategic industrial players and a dozen private equity firms, eventually narrowing down to a final round involving three major global investment houses. The investment strategy is centered on accelerating growth in key international markets, particularly the United States, by leveraging the acquirer's local expertise. Beyond organic growth, the partnership aims to consolidate the fragmented market for professional culinary equipment through targeted bolt-on acquisitions. The founding family remains a minority shareholder to support this new phase of international expansion.

Style Capital acquired a 50.2% controlling stake in Autry International from the "Made in Italy Fund" (managed by Quadrivio & Pambianco) and the founding family. The family retains a significant 42% stake, while Quadrivio reinvests for an 8% minority stake via its new vehicle "Lifestyle Fund II". The deal marks a highly successful exit for the sellers, generating a 4x Cash-on-Cash return and 75% IRR in less than 3 years. The new ownership aims to pivot the brand from a wholesale-led model to a retail-led model, with plans to open over 20 flagship stores globally.

PAI Partners entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 51% controlling stake in Beautynova from Bluegem Capital Partners to accelerate the group's global scaling. This strategic move follows a period of rapid transformation under Bluegem’s ownership since 2020, during which the company tripled its sales and expanded significantly into the US market. Post-transaction, Bluegem retains a 47% minority interest alongside a syndicate of co-investors and the company’s management team, ensuring continuity in leadership and strategy. The partnership is designed to leverage PAI's international infrastructure to further penetrate the resilient high-end beauty sector and set new industry standards in innovative product development.