CMS advises Retail Ecommerce Ventures on Ralph & Russo acquisition

International law firm CMS has advised Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV) on its acquisition of the business and assets of Ralph & Russo Limited, the UK-based luxury brand specialising in couture, ready-to-wear and luxury goods.

REV was founded by Alex Mehr and Tai Lopez in 2019. Over the past two years, REV has made a series of successful acquisitions including the Pier 1, Radio Shack, Dressbarn and Stein Mart brands. In 2020, CMS advised REV when it bought The Book People, previously one of the UK’s largest independent book retailers, out of administration. 

Ralph & Russo has become known as an international luxury brand, revered for creating designs that are contemporary and sought after worldwide. Having initially entered the market with couture, the brand expanded to become a global luxury lifestyle brand, encompassing ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories and sunglasses.

Glen Flannery, CMS Restructuring & Insolvency partner, comments: “We are delighted to have supported REV on its strategic purchase of Ralph & Russo, having previously had the opportunity to work with the team on their acquisition of The Book People.”

Tai Lopez, Executive Chairman of REV, says: “Ralph & Russo is a globally celebrated brand with a unique position in the luxury sector and significant brand affinity. With REV’s investment, there is massive potential for the Ralph & Russo brand to retain and grow its market leading position at the forefront of luxury design.”

The CMS team was led by Glen Flannery, with assistance from Peter Williamson, Ben Alderton, Christos Christoforou, Alex Pritchard, Nana Donkor and a wider team of specialists.