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哈根达斯,要被卖了!

Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs plans to acquire a majority stake in Froneri, the global ice cream manufacturer, for €15 billion (approximately ¥120 billion), with Häagen-Dazs being a significant asset in this deal [2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is expected to be finalized as early as September this year, with Goldman Sachs using a newly established continuation fund managed by PAI Partners to purchase the majority stake in Froneri [5]. - The continuation fund allows original limited partners (LPs) to choose between cash exit or rolling investment, providing liquidity while enabling the manager to retain quality assets for value appreciation [5]. - If the agreement is completed, Goldman Sachs will only gain regional operating rights for Häagen-Dazs in the US and Europe, excluding the Chinese market [5][8]. Group 2: Historical Context - In 2001, General Mills acquired Häagen-Dazs for $650 million from Diageo, and in 2002, Nestlé took over Häagen-Dazs' operations in the US [5]. - In 2016, Nestlé and PAI Partners established the ice cream joint venture Froneri, and in 2019, Nestlé sold its US ice cream business to Froneri for approximately $4 billion, granting Froneri control over Häagen-Dazs and other core Nestlé brands [6]. - Froneri now operates Häagen-Dazs in over 20 countries, including the US, Australia, and Europe, while General Mills retains global brand ownership and operates outside North America, particularly in China [8]. Group 3: Market Dynamics in China - General Mills is reportedly considering selling its Häagen-Dazs stores in China for several hundred million dollars, with discussions still in preliminary stages [10]. - The company has acknowledged a double-digit decline in customer traffic for Häagen-Dazs stores in China, and its CEO has indicated a strategy to optimize the global investment portfolio [11]. - In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, General Mills reported net sales of $4.8 billion (approximately ¥34.8 billion), a 5% year-over-year decline, with international market sales, including China, down 3% [11]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Häagen-Dazs has seen a significant reduction in its store count in China, dropping from over 400 to 247 stores within two years [13]. - The rise of local ice cream brands and the emergence of new tea and coffee brands have diverted market share from Häagen-Dazs, with Gelato projected to grow at 10%, surpassing a market size of ¥12 billion in 2024 [16].