The Very Groupproprietor of on-line retail manufacturers Very and Littlewoods, has introduced the completion of a transaction that sees world investment agency Carlyle develop into the corporate’s new proprietor.
International media group IMI will proceed as a key stakeholder, whereas the Barclay family concludes its greater than 20-12 months affiliation with the enterprise.
The deal offers The Very Group with a stronger capital base and higher monetary flexibility, enabling additional investment in its lengthy-time period progress technique.
It additionally displays the arrogance that each Carlyle and IMI have within the firm’s administration group, model place, and future potential.
Carlyle, working alongside IMI, will help The Very Group’s management in advancing its strategic priorities, together with innovation and using know-how and information to improve the client expertise.
The Barclay family’s departure marks the tip of an period for the corporate, which has undergone vital transformation underneath their possession – from a conventional catalogue retailer into one of many UK’s largest on-line retail platforms.
The announcement follows a “strong” monetary 12 months for The Very Group. In its outcomes for the 12 months ending 28 June 2025the corporate reported report earnings, with adjusted EBITDA up 15.9% to £307.1 million, the very best in its historical past.
Category efficiency was combined, with Home (+9.9%), Beauty (+5.2%), and Toys (+4.3%) displaying progress, whereas Fashion and Sports (-3.7%) and Electricals (-2%) noticed declines.
Robbie Feather, Group CEO of The Very Group, mentioned: “This marks an essential milestone for The Very Group as we transfer into an thrilling new part of progress.
“We are delighted to proceed to associate with Carlyle and IMI. Their continued backing offers us with a stronger basis to execute on our technique, enhance investment in know-how and the client expertise, and to construct on the momentum throughout the enterprise.
“I’d like to thank the Barclay family for his or her stewardship and contribution to the Company over the previous twenty years.”
The transaction follows the Barclay family’s resolution earlier this 12 months to discover a full or partial sale of The Very Groupwhich had attracted curiosity from a number of potential patrons throughout each its retail and know-how divisions.