Consumer
Australia Music Group gets private equity lifeline
Revere Capital has injected funding into Australia Music Group (AMG) as part of internal restructuring efforts. Like many retailers in Australia, the company is struggling during a period of poor consumer sentiment.
TVS, IFC back Dunar Foods with $25m
TVS Capital and International Finance Corp. (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, have invested INR1.24 billion ($25 million) for a minority stake in Indian basmati rice supplier Dunar Foods.
Gobi reaps 60% IRR on CIB trade sale
Venture firm Gobi Partners has reaped an IRR of 60% on the sale of its minority stake in Malaysian online games operator CIB Development to listed gaming company Asiasoft.
Cross-border consumer forces
A combination of risk and escalating valuations make some consumer-oriented investors wary of Indonesia. Building a scalable brand elsewhere in the region is a lower-risk route into the country
Blackstone, PAI prepare for United Biscuits carve-up
Private equity-owned United Biscuits, a one-time target of China’s Bright Food Group, is preparing to spin out its salty snacks business in a potential GBP500 million ($780 million) sale. The Blackstone Group and PAI Partners are keen to separate the...
CVC's Mantra on the block
Private equity house CVC Asia Pacific has put its 40% stake in Australian accommodation provider Mantra Group up for auction.
NAB-backed WOW in receivership
WOW Sight & Sound, an Australian electronics and AV retailer backed by National Australia Bank Integrated Capital Solutions, has gone into receivership.
Harvey Norman and Specialty Fashion top targets for PE – Citi
Australian retailers Harvey Norman and Specialty Fashion Group are strong targets for a private equity takeover, according to Citigroup.
Mekong Capital to launch $150m fund
Private equity firm Mekong Capital plans to launch a new fund with a target of $150 million to tap opportunities in Vietnam’s fast-growing consumer sector.
Ascent invests $10m in Indian online grocery store
Ascent capital has committed $10 million to a series A funding round for Bigbasket.com, an Indian online grocery store. The transaction is said to be the largest ever Series A round for an e-commerce company as well as the first institutional investment...
L Capital to invest $150m in Raymond Apparel - report
L Capital Asia, the private equity arm of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods group, is said to be in talks to invest INR7.5 billion ($150 million) in Indian clothes company Raymond Apparel.
IREIFS Partners re-opens Bangkok office
Paris-based IREIFS Partners Private Equity is reopening its offices in Bangkok to tap opportunities in Thailand’s tourism industry, six years after withdrawing from the market.
Japan's Asahi favorite to buy StarBev from CVC – report
Asahi has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to buy east European brewer StarBev from CVC Capital Partners in a deal worth up to $3 billion. It is another indication of Japanese corporates’ interest in expanding overseas, offering an exit opportunity...
Avigo-backed Spykar on the block
Avigo Capital Partners has put Spykar Lifestyle up for sale. The private equity firm, which targets investments in small- and medium-sized enterprises, acquired a 60% stake in the Indian apparel chain less than a year ago.
Premji invests $25m in Fabindia
Premji Invest, the $1 billion private equity vehicle backed by Wipro Group chairman Azim Premji, has invested INR1-1.25 billion ($20-25 million) for a 7% stake in Indian fashion company Fabindia.
Accel and Tiger Global boost Zansaar with $6m
Accel Partners and Tiger Global have invested $6 million in Bangalore-based e-commerce start-up Zansaar.com to support the brand’s organic growth.
TPG rivals mull bids for Billabong – report
The Blackstone Group and KKR are reportedly considering bids for Billabong after the Australian surfwear company rejected TPG Capital’s A$841 million ($904 million) offer but said it was willing to engage with any party that make an attractive proposal....
PE bets on Asia's growing food demand
Food assets – notably fresh produce – are increasingly attractive to private equity firms as they potential trade sale exits to Asian corporates looking to satisfy rising domestic demand
Billabong rejects improved $904m offer from TPG
TPG Capital has increased its takeover bid for Billabong International by 10% to A$841 million ($904 million) but the Australian surfwear company is still not interested. It said that the increased price of A$3.30 per share, up from A$3 per share, doesn’t...
JSM Corp seeks $30m in PE funding
JSM Corp., the Indian franchisee for Hard Rock Café, California Pizza Kitchen and Trader Vic’s, is hoping to raise INR1.2-1.5 billion ($24 million -$30 million) from private equity investors.
Billabong still in talks with TPG over buyout offer
Talks are ongoing between TPG Capital and Billabong over the private equity firm’s A$765 million ($820 million) takeover bid for the Australian surfwear manufacturer. TPG made a revised offer last week but it was still at the same indicative price of...
Providence-backed WTC bolts on USM Events
World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), the Australian athletic events organizer owned by Providence Equity Partners, has acquired event management company USM Events.
South Korea's Hi-Mart attracts interest from Tesco – report
Hi-Mart, the South Korean electronics retailer that Affinity Equity Partners exited in 2008, is about to change hands once again, with UK retailer Tesco tipped to bid for the asset. Several South Korean retailers are also said to be interested, as are...
Oak Investment backs Chinese online shopping engine
B5M, a Chinese shopping online platform, has raised $7.1 milion through a Series A funding round led by Oak Investment Partners and e-commerce platform operator Giosis Holdings.