Mergers and acquisitions news and archive

Blumarine management to be taken over by Exelite

The management of Blumarine is swapping hands. Italian firm Exelite has secured a master licensing agreement for the designer label, taking over responsibility for production, promotion, and distribution of all product categories. As of January 1, 2026, Exelite, formerly Eccellenze Italiane Holding, has further agreed with Blumarine’s parent...

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Brookfield Asset Management: How “Canadian Warren Buffett” became new owner of BHV Marais

The iconic Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville, with its 45,000 square metres and glass rotunda opposite Paris city hall, officially changed property owner on January 28, 2026. For an estimated sum of nearly 300 million euros, investment firm Brookfield Asset Management acquired the department store's building from the Galeries Lafayette group. This...

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Lands’ End and WHP Global form joint venture to leverage intellectual property

US-based digital retailer Lands’ End (Lands’ End) has entered into a definitive agreement with New York-based brand management firm WHP Global (WHP Global) to form a new joint venture. The partnership is designed to unlock the value of the Lands’ End intellectual property while significantly strengthening the retail company’s balance sheet....

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Watches of Switzerland expands US presence with Deutsch & Deutsch acquisition

The UK-based luxury watch specialist Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) has announced the completion of its acquisition of Deutsch & Deutsch, a family-owned jewelry and timepiece retailer based in Texas. Operating since the 1920s, Deutsch & Deutsch is an authorized distributor for several high-end brands, including Rolex, Cartier, Omega, Tudor,...

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Damiani Group signs agreement to acquire Baume & Mercier from Richemont

Swiss luxury conglomerate Richemont and Italian jewellery firm Damiani Group have signed an agreement for the latter to acquire full ownership of specialist watchmaker Baume & Mercier. The private transaction marks a significant shift for the historic watch brand as it joins one of Italy’s last independent family-run luxury groups. With a legacy...

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Vingino Group CEO sees bright future after deal with US-based Centric Brands

The news of the acquisition of the Dutch Vingino Group only broke in early December 2025, but the deal had been in the works for months, as FashionUnited learned when speaking with group CEO Jan van den Berg. The American company Centric Brands is the new owner of the group and its brands, Vingino and Raizzed, following the acquisition of 100...

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Morellato Group acquires Italian operations of Fossil Group

Morellato Group has acquired the distribution operations of Fossil Group in Italy. “The deal establishes a new and important synergy between two leading groups in the international watch and jewellery market. Its aim is to further strengthen the presence in Italy of prestigious brands such as: Fossil; Emporio Armani; Armani Exchange; Michael...

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Bestseller owner snaps up majority stake in Drake’s

Anders Holch Povlsen, the owner of Danish fashion giant Bestseller Group and the largest shareholder of e-commerce retailer Asos, has snapped up a majority stake in British menswear brand Drake’s. New Companies House filings have revealed that a 75 percent stake in Drake’s has been transferred to 28.10.2025 Limited, a firm overseen by Povlsen....

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Asos adds Noughts & Kisses to brand portfolio

E-commerce giant Asos has reportedly acquired Noughts & Kisses and is preparing to launch the fashion brand on its site later in 2026. The news was confirmed to Drapers by Noughts & Kisses founder Jemma Bramley, who said the retailer’s customer “aligns closely” with Asos’ own. “Asos is the perfect next step for us because it expands our reach...

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Bain Capital secures majority stake in South Korea’s Echo Marketing

US private equity firm Bain Capital has snapped up a majority stake in Echo Marketing, the South Korean parent company of activewear brand Andar. The stake, valued at 344 million dollars, reflects Bain’s efforts to expand its presence in consumer brands, particularly in South Korea’s athleisure sector. A regulatory filing seen by Reuters stated...

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Hanky Panky finds new home with Crown Brands Group

Intimates brand Hanky Panky has been snapped up in a joint acquisition by Crown Brands Group and Rafar Group, with each to collaborate on marketing strategy and execution. Under the agreement, Crown will oversee brand strategy and global licensing while Rafar, the parent company of Gelmart International, will serve as the core operating partner,...

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Made in Italy brands lead Christmas M&A activity

Milan - The year concludes with two significant financial transactions involving two prominent Made in Italy brands: Etro and Golden Goose. Golden Goose has been acquired by the Chinese company Hsg, an international venture capital and private equity firm, which now holds a majority stake in the group. Meanwhile, Temasek, a global investment...