M&A Deal Summary

WHSmith Acquires Marshall Retail Group

On October 17, 2019, WHSmith acquired retailer Marshall Retail Group from Brentwood Associates and Golub Capital

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is WHSmith’s 2nd transaction in the Retail sector.
  • This is WHSmith’s 2nd transaction in the United States.
  • This is WHSmith’s 1st transaction in Nevada.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2019-10-17
Target Marshall Retail Group
Sector Retail
Buyer(s) WHSmith
Sellers(s) Brentwood Associates
Golub Capital
Deal Type Add-on Acquisition

Target

Marshall Retail Group

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Marshall Retail Group is a specialty retailer with a 60-year history of operating stores in high-foot-traffic marketplaces. MRG provides turnkey solutions to premier casino resort and airport operators by creating and managing a highly scalable portfolio of profitable stores and memorable brands, well-positioned to attract and accommodate hotel guests, visitors and local residents.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

WHSmith

Swindon, United Kingdom

Category Company
Founded 1792
Sector Retail
Employees14,935
Revenue 1.8B GBP (2023)
DESCRIPTION

WH Smith is a retailer that operates in two segments, Travel and High Street. The Travel business operates 1K+ units, mainly in airports, railway stations, motorway service areas, hospitals and workplaces, primarily in the UK. Travel stores sell a more tailored range of products than High Street stores to cater for people on the move or in need of a convenience offer. The High Street business operates 600 stores with an extensive reach across the UK and a presence on nearly every significant UK high street. High Street sells a wide range of products, which are divided into the following categories: Stationery (including greetings cards), Books, and News and Impulse (including newspapers, magazines and confectionery), as well as a small range of Entertainment products in some stores. WHSmith was founded in 1792 and is based in Swindon, United Kingdom.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 3 of 3
Sector (Retail) 2 of 2
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 3 of 3
State (Nevada) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 2 of 2
Year (2019) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2018-10-30 InMotion Entertainment Group

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

InMotion Entertainment Group offers airport concessions premium retail brands including InMotion Entertainment, Soundbalance, and Headphone Hub. The stores feature premium electronics, including tablets, digital cameras, portable power, and noise-canceling headphones.

Buy -

Seller(S) 2

SELLER

Brentwood Associates

Los Angeles, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1972
PE ASSETS 2.4B USD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Brentwood Associates is a private equity firm focused on long-term investments in middle-market growth companies. Brentwood typically targets investments in consumer-related businesses. Specific areas of interest include action sports/outdoor lifestyle products, business services, consumer products/services, direct marketing, distribution, education, health/wellness, marketing services, specialty media, specialty retail, and sporting goods. Brentwood's preferred equity investment size is $50 to $200 million. Brentwood Associates was formed in 1972 and is based in Los Angeles.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 26 of 30
Sector (Retail) 4 of 5
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 10 of 12
State (Nevada) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 24 of 28
Year (2019) 2 of 3
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-03-11 Z Gallerie

Gardena, California, United States

Z Gallerie is focused on designing and sourcing proprietary products that encompass the best design ideas from around the world. The company’s specific and distinct merchandise offering attracts both affluent and aspirational customers, and can create an entire room that is both fashionable and stunning. Z Gallerie has an enthusiastic culture and strong management team that has been delivering unique, on-trend products at affordable price points for over 35 years. Z Gallerie was formed in 1979 and is based in Gardena, California.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-11-04 Chicken Salad Chick

Auburn, Alabama, United States

Chicken Salad Chick is a fast-casual chain of chicken restaurants with 137 locations throughout 16 states predominantly in the Southeast. The company's restaurants feature over a dozen distinct chicken salad flavors made fresh daily and served by the scoop, sandwich or bowl. Chicken Salad Chick was formed in 2008 and is based in Auburn, Alabama.

Buy -
SELLER

Golub Capital

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Lender
Founded 1994
PE ASSETS 55.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Golub Capital is a private investment firm focused on making debt and equity investments in US based middle-market companies. Golub looks to invest between $5 and $75 million in businesses with established operating cash flow, strong customer relationships, and 'sustainable proprietary positions in their markets'. Prospective investment structures include refinancings, recapitalizations, buyouts, and growth financings. Sectors of interest include consumer products, business and consumer services, defense, manufacturing, value-added distribution, media, healthcare services and restaurants. Golub Capital was formed in 1994 and maintains offices in New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 18 of 41
Sector (Retail) 1 of 4
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 7 of 19
State (Nevada) 1 of 2
Country (United States) 18 of 39
Year (2019) 3 of 3
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-08-08 iPipeline

Exton, Pennsylvania, United States

iPipeline is a provider of cloud-based software solutions for the life insurance and financial services industries. Through its SSG Digital, end-to-end platform, iPipeline accelerates and simplifies sales, compliance, operations, and support. iPipeline provides process automation and seamless integration between every participant in its ecosystem including carriers, agents, general agencies, advisors, broker-dealers, RIAs, banks, securities/mutual fund firms, and consumers on a global basis.

Sell $1.6B
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-11-19 Calero Software

Rochester, New York, United States

Calero Software is a provider of communications lifecycle management (CLM) solutions designed to turn communication data into actionable insight by simplifying the management of voice, mobile and other unified communications services and assets. Calero Software is based in Rochester, New York.

Buy -