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M&A Deal Summary

Graphite Capital Acquires Game

On January 1, 1993, private equity firm Graphite Capital acquired retailer Game

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Graphite Capital’s 1st transaction in the Retail sector.
  • This is Graphite Capital’s 10th transaction in the United Kingdom.
Investment Fate
  • Game went public in 1998.
  • Game was sold to a financial buyer in 2012.
  • Game went public in 2014.
  • Game was sold to a strategic buyer in 2019.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 1993-01-01
Target Game
Sector Retail
Buyer(s) Graphite Capital
Deal Type Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)

Target

Game

Basingstoke, United Kingdom
Game is a retailer of video games and gaming-related products to the gaming communities of the UK, Spain, and beyond, providing more ways for gamers to enjoy more games and unique gaming experiences, more often. Game's UK and Spanish retail businesses are the market leaders in those geographical areas, operating a total of over 560 stores across the two areas, a fully integrated omnichannel offer, including the multi-award-winning GAME App, and over 4.5 million active customers across its Reward programmes. The company is developing its proposition with the continued expansion of BELONG, the Group's leisure experience, which brings video gaming to high streets, shopping centres and communities nationwide. Through its esports and events activities, the Group is delivering unparalleled consumer gaming experiences directly, and on behalf of third parties, including its flagship event, Insomnia, the UK's largest gaming festival. Game was formed in 1992 and is based in Basingstoke, United Kingdom.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Graphite Capital

London, United Kingdom

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1981
PE ASSETS 1.2B GBP
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Graphite Capital is a private equity firm that seeks mid-market investments in the UK. Target sectors include retail and consumer, manufacturing, services and distribution, financial services, healthcare, leisure, and property. The Firm looks for transactions valued from £30 to £150 million. Prospective transaction situations typically include management buyouts/buy-ins of corporate spin-offs or privately held companies. The Firm also considers roll-outs and consolidation strategies. Graphite Capital was originally formed in 1981 and became independent in 2001. Graphite is based in London.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 10 of 82
Sector: Retail M&A 1 of 6
Type: Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI) M&A Deals 9 of 55
Country: United Kingdom M&A 10 of 79
Year: 1993 M&A 2 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1993-01-01 Denplan

Hampshire, United Kingdom

Denplan operated an independent scheme for providing dental care under which dentists agreed to maintain the teeth of their patients in return for a set monthly fee. The company had early mover advantage and had already built up a good and growing position in the UK market by signing up a large number of dentists offering payment plans to their customers. In 1993 Denplan was acquired by Private Patients Plan for £42 million.

Sell £42M
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
1993-07-01 Sharelink

Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Sharelink was the largest and most successful execution-only share dealing operation in the UK.

Sell -
Mergr

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