Activa sells stake in Sport 2000 to its cooperative

Activa sold its 53% stake in late December, after tense discussions with co-op members of Sport 2000 Coopérative between July and October, according to French daily Le Figaro.

The GP and Sport 2000 Coopérative experienced difficulties in breaching differences, with the PE firm and the cooperative's goals and business mentality hardly aligning, the French website LSA Commerce et Consommation reported in September. 

Previous funding
The French GP first invested in the business in 2008, acquiring a 37% stake, via its €315m vehicle Activa Capital Fund II. The deal led to a demutualisation of the co-operative structure and the regrouping of all 398 co-op members, in order to move Sport 2000 to a private company structure. Equity represented around 40% of the investment with senior debt making up the remainder, Unquote reported at the time.

When acquired by Activa, the firm generated a €580m turnover operating 530 stores in France. Sport 2000 hopes to double its turnover over the next five years, Unquote reported at the time.

Two years later, the GP increased its stake to become a majority owner, according to the recently published Le Figaro article.

Company
Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Egly, Sport 2000 is a sports equipment retail chain operating the branches Sport 2000, Sport 2000 Montagne, Mondovelo, S2 and Espace Montagne. The business operates 600 stores in France and employs around 400 people, according to the company's website.

Sport 2000 France generates a turnover of €623m, according to Le Figaro.

People
Sport 2000 Coopérative – Thierry Lavigne (president).
Sport 2000 – Stéphane Solinski (CEO).

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