M&A
The latest news, updates and analysis on mergers and acquisitions in the UK retail industry. Sign up to the Daily Briefing and let Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Feb- 2019 -22 February
Martin Newman announces DownYourHighStreet.com investment
Retail expert, Martin Newman has announced he has invested in e-commerce platform, DownYourHighStreet.com, bringing its told investment raised this funding round to £272,060, 81% more than its target. The platform, created specifically for independent bricks and mortar retailers to grow their e-commerce business, will officially launch in June and currently…
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19 February
JD acquires 8% stake in Footasylum
Sportswear retailer JD Sports has acquired an 8% stake in footwear retailer Footasylum. JD said it had purchased the stake “for investment purposes”. The company said it was prepared to take on an interest of 29.9%, hovering just below the limit for a mandatory takeover bid, however it added it…
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4 February
Canadian record shop owner ‘enters race’ for HMV
Doug Putman, the owner of Canadian record store chain, Sunrise Records, is said to be interested in purchasing HMV. The retail boss would rival Sports Direct owner, Mike Ashley, who has already placed a bid for the entertainment retailer. HMV administrators KPMG refused to comment on Putman’s interest, which was…
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Dec- 2018 -12 December
Walmart to acquire online home decor retailer Art.com
US retail group Walmart has announced it is to acquire online home decor retailer, Art.com for an undisclosed sum. The retail group is expected to close the deal next year, which it says will “enhance the customer experience” in the wall art sector. Art.com, which has been running since 1998,…
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Nov- 2018 -23 November
Wyevale Garden Centres sells five sites
Wyevale Garden Centres has sold five more of its stores as it continues plans to cut back its retail portfolio as part of a turnaround plan. A Wyevale spokesperson told Retail Sector: “In accordance with TUPE regulations colleagues are now being consulted with on the transfer of their employment to…
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Oct- 2018 -30 October
WHSmith acquires InMotion in £155m deal
WHSmith has announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of InMotion, a pure play travel retailer for $198m (£155m). InMotion is the largest airport-based digital accessories retailer in North America. Established in 1998, it operates a concession portfolio of 114 stores across 43 airports in the United States.…
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22 October
C.Banner considers sale of Hamley’s
C.Banner is said to be considering the sale of Hamley’s a week after it posted a 2016 fall from £1.7m profit to £9.2m loss in 2017. Rumours began after C.Banner received approaches from potential buyers and appointed corporate finance firm Vermillion Partners to advise on a sale according to Sky…
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Aug- 2018 -23 August
Crew Clothing acquires Saltrock Surfwear
Saltrock Surfwear, a leisurewear and accessories retail brand based in Devon, has been sold to Crew Clothing Group via a pre pack administration. David Pike and Mark Orton from KPMG were appointed joint administrators to Saltrock Surfwear Limited on 17 August. Immediately upon their appointment, they concluded a sale of…
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22 August
Moonpig owner acquires Dutch gift retailer
Photobox Group, the parent company of card and gift retailer Moonpig, has acquired Dutch online cards and gifting retailer Greetz. Greetz was founded in 2001 as an online greetings cards retailer and sold over 7.5 million cards in the Netherlands in 2017. The business has grown by 25% year-on-year and…
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16 August
Philip Day eyeing House of Fraser stores
Philip Day, the owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill is reportedly in talks with landlord groups regarding a takeover of several House of Fraser stores. Day is talking to 10 to 15 landlords with a view to running them as Days Department Stores according to Drapers. Rents and leases on House of…
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