Consumer
UK - YFM further invests in BeCheeky.com
The YFM Group has further invested in online retailer BeCheeky.com as part of a second round of funding for the company.
Patrick Lissague, UFG Private Equity
Francois Rowell speaks to Patrick Lissague, director general of UFG Private Equity, and finds that small companies are yet to feel the full extent of the current economic turmoil
UK - Alliance Boots buys £400m of distressed debt
Alliance Boots, the retailer that was taken private by executive chairman Stefano Pessina and KKR almost two years ago, has reportedly bought back more than ТЃ400m of the debt used to acquire the business.
Default rates double; set to escalate further
For years bearish professionals have been warning of imminent and widespread defaults. Now it seems they are upon us, with double-digit default rates expected within the year. Kimberly Romaine reports
FRANCE - Acto to purchase majority of Inventoriste
Acto Capital has agreed to acquire approximately 87% of the shares and voting rights in Alternext-listed retail services business Inventoriste from Berberine EURL, Amiral Gestion, B&G SARL, Financier John Beslay and Jean-Sebastien Beslay.
FRANCE - Quilvest PE invests EUR 6.5m into Swoon
Quilvest Private Equity has backed JDI Fashion, the owner of children's clothing retail chain Swoon, with an investment of EUR 6.5m.
SPAIN – Dinamia writes down BodyBell and Colegios Laude
Dinamia, the listed vehicle of N+1 Private Equity has written down its investments in personal goods retailer Bodybell and private schools group Colegios Laude.
NETHERLANDS – PPM Oost backs ProductIP
PPM Oost (East Netherlands Participation Company) has invested an undisclosed sum in business support services firm ProductIP. The investment was made possible with EU ERDF funds and a contribution from the province of Gelderland.
NORWAY - IK-backed Kid in talks with bank over ownership change
IK Investment Partner's (IK) portfolio company Kid Interiør, a textile retail business, is in discussions with its main sponsor Norwegian bank DnB NOR regarding a transfer of ownership to the bank after running into trouble over its loans.
SPAIN - AC Desarrollo ups its stake in Musgo to 87.5%
AC Desarrollo, the private equity arm of Grupo Ahorro Corporación, has carried out a capital increase in chain retailer Musgo - upping its stake to 87.5%.
Hermes Private Equity wagers future for Riva
It's all fun and games, until legislation makes you cry
Gambling on gaming
Deborah Sterescu speaks to John Hagan of Harris Hagan, a law firm specialising in gaming and leisure laws
CIS - EBRD may back Dragon's Virgin Fund
The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD), the largest investor in Central & Eastern Europe, may invest up to $30m in the Europe Virgin Fund, a vehicle sponsored by Dragon Capital to invest in FMCG, retail, industrials, telecom, media,...
NETHERLANDS - Cyrte acquires Bol.com
According to reports, pan-European investment firm Cyrte, has acquired online book retailer Bol.com from German media group Holtzbrinck Networks Verlag Welt and Bild in an auction organised by Goetz.