Core Insights - Pepkor Holdings has acquired several fashion brands from Retailability for approximately R1.7 billion ($97.22 million) [1] - The acquisition includes the Legit, Swagga, Style, and Boardmans brands, adding 469 outlets to Pepkor's operations and increasing its total store network to over 1,000 locations [1][2] - The transaction received all regulatory approvals and became effective on November 2, 2025 [1] Business Integration - The Legit, Swagga, and Style brands will be integrated into Pepkor's Speciality division, enhancing its presence in the adult apparel segment, especially women's fashion [2] - The Boardmans brand will be incorporated into the Pepkor Lifestyle division, reinforcing the company's position in the homeware sector [2] - Pepkor anticipates that the acquisition will generate additional value by leveraging its scale and retail expertise across the entire value chain, including financial services [2] Leadership Commentary - Tyrone Vieira, CEO of Pepkor Emerging Businesses, expressed enthusiasm about the successful conclusion of the transaction, indicating it marks the start of a new chapter for the acquired businesses [3] - The integration phase is expected to harness the strengths of the acquired brands within the Pepkor ecosystem [3] Advisory Support - Investec Bank acted as the equity and debt sponsor for Pepkor [3] - Rand Merchant Bank served as the financial adviser and corporate broker, while ENS Africa provided legal advice to Pepkor [4] - Retailability received advisory support from Investec Bank and legal services from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr [4]

Group 1 - Advent is in advanced discussions to acquire Brazilian supermarket chain Sonda, with a deal potentially valued at up to 3.5 billion reais ($653.50 million) based on Sonda's estimated gross revenue of 6.5 billion reais in 2025 [1] - Negotiations have been ongoing for several months, with unresolved key issues from primary shareholder Delcir Sonda, who has been considering a sale due to succession issues since about two years ago [2] - The likelihood of a sale has increased following the death of Idi Sonda in 2022, and Delcir Sonda, at 77, is contemplating the company's future despite publicly denying being on the market [3] Group 2 - Grupo Pereira, which owns Fort Atacadista and Comper chains, had shown interest in acquiring Sonda but has been surpassed by Advent in the negotiations [4] - Advent is exploring the creation of a food retail investment division, aiming for a larger investment scale than Pátria's Plurix holding, which manages 10 billion reais in supermarket sales and an additional 6 billion reais in cash-and-carry sales [4] - Advent has been actively seeking opportunities in the Brazilian grocery market, including partnerships with regional grocers like Angeloni, and has a strong presence in the sector, evidenced by its previous successful transactions [5]