CMS advises on the acquisition of Emperia Holding S.A.

Warsaw, 24 November 2017. CMS has advised MAXIMA GRUPĖ UAB, owner of the Maxima network of grocery stores in, among others, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and a network of Aldik supermarkets in Poland, on the tender offer for the sale of 100% shares in Emperia Holding S.A., an owner of the leading Stokrotka supermarket chain in Poland.

To date, CMS’ scope of work on this transaction included a due diligence investigation, negotiations of an investment agreement and preparation of documentation related to a tender offer for Emperia shares. Signing of the investment agreement marks the end of Emperia's selection of a strategic investor, which started in May 2017.

"After the sale of the Żabka chain and subsequent sale of the Mila chain, the purchase of Emperia (an owner of the Stokrotka supermarket chain) is another transaction in the retail sector announced this year, on which CMS has advised. This underlines CMS’ leading position in the field of mergers and acquisitions in the Polish market, especially in the retail sector” said Jakub Marcinkowski, CMS partner leading the transaction. He believes that the fragmented retail industry in Poland will “inevitably be subject to further consolidation.”

Founded in 1990, Emperia is a leading independent chain of supermarkets operating under the Stokrotka banner. Having helped shape the Polish retail industry in Poland for the past 27 years, it operates in the retail and FMCG sector, with 410 stores located in residential areas, as well as small and large shopping centers.

The CMS transaction team was led by Jakub Marcinkowski (partner, advocate), with support from Olga Czyżycka (senior associate, advocate) and Rafał Kluziak (senior associate, advocate).