General
Dutch bicycle manufacturer Pon.Bike is taking over its American competitor Dorel Sports to form, according to themselves, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. The merger teams up both consumer brands (like Pon's Gazelle and Dorel's Schwinn) and specialised race bikes (Cervélo and Cannondale).
» Read more
Food
French media report that Auchan has attempted to take over Carrefour. But the latter put a halt to talks last week.
Venture capital fund Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has narrowly won the battle for supermarket chain Morrisons last weekend, with a bid of 7.1 billion pounds (8.3 billion euros).
Italian group Nutkao has taken a major step in its European expansion by acquiring Belgian chocolate spread manufacturer Boerinneke. Two former Duo Penotti managers take over the daily management.
Carrefour is desperately looking for a mate. CEO Alexandre Bompard is said to be exploring different consolidation scenarios, including one with competitor Auchan. Together, they would become market leaders.
French wine and spirits group Pernod Ricard has announced the acquisition of The Whisky Exchange, the leading online spirits retailer.
It looks like the long-running takeover battle between two American investors for British supermarket group Morrisons will finally be decided through a seldom-used auction process.
Electronics
Dutch photo and video specialist Kamera Express has strengthened its position in Europe by acquiring the German Foto Gregor group, a chain with nationwide coverage in Germany.
Zooplus, one of Europe's biggest online pet stores, has accepted an acquisition bid of American investor Hellman & Friedman, worth three billion euros.
Fashion
Adidas has found a buyer for Reebok, but at a hefty price: Authentic Brands Group is buying the brand for a billion euros less than Adidas itself paid in 2005.
Jeans icon Levi's has acquired American activewear brand Beyond Yoga for an undisclosed sum, thus expanding into a fast-growing market.
Cosmetics
The Hut Group, which brings cosmetics and wellness brands online, will take over the British cosmetics webshop Cult Beauty for 275 million pounds (320 million euros). As a result, The Hut is not only gaining many brands but also global retail reach.
PepsiCo is selling (part of) its juice branch: the soft drink producer is transferring Tropicana, Naked and other juice brands to a new joint venture with French investment group PAI Partners.
The Belgian tax authorities are demanding 380 million euros from Ahold Delhaize. The dispute goes back to the acquisition of the American Delhaize branches during a restructuring in 2018.
Milka manufacturer Mondelez is on track after a strong second quarter. Sales rose by 12.4 per cent, and the profit was also higher than expected. The confectionery giant is therefore going on an acquisition spree.
After receiving an unsolicited takeover bid for its British department store chain Selfridges, the Canadian Weston family is now trying to entice other interested parties to come forward through an auction.
