Casino Group: Monoprix announces entering into exclusive negotiations to acquire Sarenza

19 February 2018

Casino Group: Monoprix announces entering into exclusive negotiations to acquire Sarenza

Monoprix announces entering into exclusive negotiations to acquire Sarenza. After the recent partnerships signed by the banner, notably with Ocado, this acquisition aims at completing the offering of Monoprix, and at positioning it as an omnichannel Lifestyle leader (Fashion, Home, Beauty). This acquisition is fully part of the digitalization strategy of Monoprix.

Sarenza is a leading online shoe retailer and stands among favorite online banners in France. With an offering of more than 650 brands and 40,000 designs, Sarenza generated more than €250m of sales (before returns) during its last fiscal year.

This transaction will enable to combine the forces of the Monoprix network, its Fashion, Home and Beauty offering as well as the expertise of its teams, with the e-commerce know-how of Sarenza, a shoe and accessories specialist, in order to create a truly unique "omnichannel Lifestyle" leader.

This combination will also accelerate Monoprix's digital transformation and will simultaneously consolidate Sarenza's future by integrating it to a large retail group, particularly active in urban areas.

Jean-Charles NAOURI, Chairman and CEO of Casino Group said: "By acquiring Sarenza and its expertise, Casino Group will consolidate its position as French leader in urban online retail. This transaction places Monoprix at the edge of the fashion and home online retail."

Stéphane TREPPOZ, Chairman and CEO of Sarenza said: "We are very pleased with this integration project, allowing us to join a major distribution group and to expand our product offering by leveraging the expertise of Monoprix, one of the most cutting-edge, innovative and popular brand among French people. To give access to the products sold on Sarenza's website since 2005 to Monoprix's clients is a great opportunity, which will make Monoprix's website an admired model in online retail. I want to thank all of the financial shareholders of Sarenza, notably HLD, Bpifrance and Akila Finance, for their support since 2014."

Régis SCHULTZ, Chairman of Monoprix said: "This operation is fully part of Monoprix's strategy. In our city-center locomotives stores, Monoprix uniquely combines a food offering, a non-food offering and innovative services. It is perfectly logical to recreate this complete offering online. After the agreement with Ocado last November, which reinforces our leading status on food delivery, Monoprix will position itself, with Sarenza, as a major player in non-food e-commerce."
The completion of the transaction, which is expected in the coming weeks, remains notably subject to the consultation of Monoprix's and Sarenza's employees representative bodies, and to the approval of the French Competition Authority.

About Casino Group

Casino Group is a well-established and key player in the French retail industry as well as a leader in the global food retail market, with more than 12,000 stores worldwide - in France, Latin America and in the Indian Ocean region. The Group has built up a portfolio of strong, dynamic and complementary banners, thanks to its workforce of over 220,000 people driven by a passion for retail and customer service, generating consolidated net sales of €38bn in 2017. In all of its host countries, the Casino Group focuses its development on the formats with the highest potential and ability to adapt in order to meet customer needs, both today and in the future.

About Monoprix

Monoprix is a leading urban retailer with a presence in more than 250 cities in France through 6 banners. Subsidiary of Casino Group, Monoprix operates through around 800 stores and employs around 21,000 people. The Group generated €5bn in business in 2017.

About Sarenza

With a presence in 30 countries in Europe and a selection of more than 650 brands and 40,000 designs, Sarenza is a leading online shoe retailer with more than 8 million clients and 25 million shoes sold since its creation. The website, generating €250m of sales in 2017, is based on 3 pillars: 24-hours free delivery, 100 days to return articles and be reimbursed in cash within 48 hours, internal customer service and trendy collections. Sarenza also creates its own models by launching "Made by Sarenza" and "Mr Sarenza" in 2016. The brand is known for its service quality and has received several awards such as "Favorite Online-retailer according to French people" (UFC Que Choisir) and "Best Fashion Website" (FEVAD).

CASINO GROUP

ANALYST AND INVESTOR CONTACTS:

Régine GAGGIOLI - +33 (0)1 53 65 64 17
rgaggioli@groupe-casino.fr

or

+33 (0)1 53 65 24 17
IR_Casino@groupe-casino.fr

PRESS CONTACTS:

Groupe Casino - Direction de la Communication

directiondelacommunication@groupe-casino.fr

Tél. : +33(0)1 53 65 24 78

Stéphanie ABADIE - sabadie@groupe-casino.fr  - +33 (0)6 26 27 37 05

Agence IMAGE 7

Tél. : +33(0)1 53 70 74 84 - Karine ALLOUIS - kallouis@image7.fr - Simon ZAKS - szaks@image7.fr

Monoprix

Marion DENONFOUX - 01 78 99 95 97 - mdenonfoux@monoprix.fr

Disclaimer

This press release was prepared solely for information purposes and should not be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell securities or related financial instruments. Similarly, it does not give and should not be treated as giving investment advice. It has no connection with the investment objectives, financial situation or specific needs of any recipient. No representation or warranty, either express or implicit, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein. It should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for exercise of their own judgement. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

In accordance with European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055 of 29 June 2016 with regard to the technical means for appropriate public disclosure of inside information and for delaying the public disclosure of inside information, this press release was communicated to Casino's primary information provider on 19 February 2018 at 7.45am Paris time.

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