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Home > Finance > Kretinsky's EP Group offers buyout of French retailer Fnac Darty

Kretinsky's EP Group offers buyout of French retailer Fnac Darty

Published by Global Banking and Finance Review

Posted on January 26, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: January 26, 2026

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Quick Summary

Czech investor Kretinsky's EP Group proposes a €1.1 billion buyout of French retailer Fnac Darty, offering a 19% premium with board support.

Czech Investor Kretinsky Proposes Buyout of Fnac Darty Retailer

EP Group's Offer for Fnac Darty

PRAGUE, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Czech investor Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group plans to launch a voluntary offer to take control of French retailer Fnac Darty, valuing the firm at 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion), EP Group said on Monday.

Details of the Proposal

It said its cash proposal for shares and convertible bonds offered a 19% premium over Fnac's last closing price on Friday of 30.25 euros ($35.87) per share and had board support.

Support from Board of Directors

"With this friendly offer, which has been welcomed by the Board of Directors, we want to consolidate our commitment by becoming the majority shareholder in the long term," Kretinsky said in a statement.

Commitment to Current Management

"We are committed to supporting the current management team led by Enrique Martinez and ensuring the company's French foothold, while providing an attractive liquidity opportunity to shareholders," he added.

"Together with the members of the Board of Directors, we have unanimously welcomed this proposed offer. We ... are starting our work to issue our reasoned opinion to shareholders in the coming weeks," Fnac Darty's Chairman Jacques Veyrat said in a statement.

EP Group, majority-owned by Kretinsky, already holds 28.5% in the company through its VESA investment vehicle.

EP Group said it did not intend to squeeze out minority shareholders nor change the firm's dividend policy.

($1 = 0.8433 euros)

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka and Mateusz Rabiega; Editing by Kate Mayberry)

Key Takeaways

•EP Group plans a €1.1 billion buyout of Fnac Darty.
•The offer includes a 19% premium over the last closing price.
•The proposal has board support and aims for majority control.
•EP Group holds 28.5% of Fnac Darty through VESA.
•No plans to squeeze out minority shareholders or change dividends.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kretinsky's EP Group offers buyout of French retailer Fnac Darty

1What is a buyout?

A buyout is a financial transaction where an investor or group of investors acquires a controlling interest in a company, often through purchasing its shares or assets.

2What is a premium in finance?

A premium in finance refers to the additional amount paid over the market price of a security, often used to entice shareholders to sell their shares.

3What are convertible bonds?

Convertible bonds are a type of debt security that can be converted into a predetermined number of the company's equity shares, providing potential upside to bondholders.

EP Group's Offer for Fnac Darty

Details of the Proposal

It said its cash proposal for shares and convertible bonds offered a 19% premium over Fnac's last closing price on Friday of 30.25 euros ($35.87) per share and had board support.

Support from Board of Directors

Commitment to Current Management

EP Group, majority-owned by Kretinsky, already holds 28.5% in the company through its VESA investment vehicle.

EP Group said it did not intend to squeeze out minority shareholders nor change the firm's dividend policy.

($1 = 0.8433 euros)

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka and Mateusz Rabiega; Editing by Kate Mayberry)

Key Takeaways

•EP Group plans a €1.1 billion buyout of Fnac Darty.

•The offer includes a 19% premium over the last closing price.

•The proposal has board support and aims for majority control.

•EP Group holds 28.5% of Fnac Darty through VESA.

•No plans to squeeze out minority shareholders or change dividends.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is a buyout?

A buyout is a financial transaction where an investor or group of investors acquires a controlling interest in a company, often through purchasing its shares or assets.

2What is a premium in finance?

A premium in finance refers to the additional amount paid over the market price of a security, often used to entice shareholders to sell their shares.

3What are convertible bonds?

Convertible bonds are a type of debt security that can be converted into a predetermined number of the company's equity shares, providing potential upside to bondholders.