Retail and Consumer Products - Mergers and Acquisitions

Canada’s retail sector was undergoing considerable change before the pandemic and with the industry facing even more disruption today thanks to a massive migration to online shopping and adoption of retail-related apps, it’s safe to say that this space will witness much more deal-making activity in the future.

There will be many opportunities in the retail sector as companies seek out now-undervalued competitors, divest of underperforming assets and incorporate game-changing technology into their operations. Given how competitive this sector has become, and how dramatically it’s changing, finding the right deal and getting it done in a way that properly protects your business requires significant expertise.

Osler’s Retail Group has worked with numerous brand-name businesses on all types and sizes of M&A transactions and is well versed in managing the challenges facing this industry today. Our leading M&A practitioners are complemented by top-ranked expertise in tax, competition/antitrust, securities/regulatory, banking & financial services, litigation, pensions, employment/executive compensation and all other specialized areas that are key to affecting a successful M&A transaction in the retail sector.

Recent experience

Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. (Longo's)

Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. in the sale of 51% of Longo’s to Empire Company, with an option to put the remaining interest in Longo’s to Empire in tranches beginning after the fifth anniversary of the closing. The purchase price for the initial 51% interest is based on a total enterprise value of $700 million.

Learn more about the acquisition
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Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and NL1 Acquireco Inc., in their acquisition of New Look Vision Group Inc.  The transaction, which values New Look at approx. $800 million on an equity value basis and approx. $970 million on an enterprise value basis, was effected by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement.

Learn more about our work with CDPQ
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The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) in its agreement to increase its investment in the Canadian-based, vertically integrated, multi-brand company, DECIEM Beauty Group Inc. from approximately 29% to approximately 76%. ELC has agreed to purchase the remaining interests after a three-year period.

Learn more about our work with The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
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L Brands

L Brands in the sale of La Senza, a Canadian luxury intimate apparel retailer, to Regent LP., a global private equity firm focused on innovating and transforming businesses.

Learn more about our work with L Brands
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