Investment fund Parcom is selling its 50% stake in Dutch department store chain Hema to Mississippi Ventures, the investment vehicle of the van Eerd family, which also owns supermarket chain Jumbo.
Further investments
Both shareholders announced the news in a press release, without providing financial details. The acquisition must be approved by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and is also subject to the advice of Hema’s works council.
Jumbo and Hema will continue to operate independently, but can strengthen each other, according to the press release. The transaction will enable Hema to continue investing in the brand and customer experience in the coming years “in order to further develop its path of growth and appeal.” The retailer plans to renovate 100 stores and open 15 new ones in the near future, including in Belgium and France.
“Important milestone”
“We became shareholders almost five years ago and have only grown more fond of Hema. It is impressive how Saskia and her team have strengthened the brand,” says Colette Cloosterman-van Eerd, on behalf of the van Eerd family.
Saskia Egas Reparaz, CEO of Hema, calls the acquisition an important milestone. “Jumbo and Hema are two brands that play a role in the everyday lives of customers. We have noticed how valuable that is in recent years. We look forward to this next phase of our collaboration.”
Mississippi Ventures and Parcom completed the acquisition of Hema in early 2021. They each took a 50% stake in the retailer, which was then owned by creditors after owner Marcel Boekhoorn was ousted. According to Mississippi Ventures and Parcom, the retail chain has grown in terms of turnover, volume, profit, and customer satisfaction in recent years. This move will secure the jobs of more than 17,000 employees.
