Czech Investor Daniel Křetínský Launches Takeover Bid for Fnac Darty

Published on January 26, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Portrait of Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský, with an overlaid graphic showing the Fnac Darty logo and an upward arrow symbolizing the acquisition offer.

Czech Investor Daniel Křetínský Launches Takeover Bid for Fnac Darty

The Czech magnate Daniel Křetínský, through his firm EP Group, has initiated a friendly public takeover bid for the French retail corporation Fnac Darty. The proposal, which has already received unanimous approval from the target group's board of directors, proposes to pay 36 euros per share in cash. This operation values the company at around 1.1 billion euros, representing a 19% premium over the last closing price. Křetínský, who already controls nearly 28.5% of the capital, now aims to exceed 50% of the voting rights to become the main shareholder. 🎯

A Stable Transition for the Retail Group

The Czech investor has stated that his intention is to support the current management and the strategic plan that Fnac Darty is currently executing. No immediate actions are contemplated to forcibly exclude minority shareholders, pointing to a stable transition process. To proceed, the operation must be formalized before the French markets regulator, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), before the end of the first quarter of 2026. This step is an indispensable requirement for the offer to proceed under current regulations.

Key Details of the Operation:
  • Offer of 36 euros per share, fully in cash.
  • Total company valuation close to 1.1 billion euros.
  • The investor seeks to go from the current 28.5% to more than 50% of the voting rights.
Buying an entire company can be more straightforward than choosing a television in one of its stores.

The Profile of Fnac Darty and the Impact on the Sector

The group, born from the merger of Fnac and Darty, is a major player in the sale of consumer electronics, household appliances, books, and cultural products in France and other territories. The possible arrival of a new controlling shareholder, such as Křetínský, raises questions about the company's future path within an extremely competitive retail sector undergoing full digital transformation. Financial analysts are closely watching how this capital mobilization may influence the market.

Characteristics of the Fnac Darty Group:
  • Specialist in electronics, household appliances, and culture.
  • Operates mainly in France, with presence in other countries.
  • Its merger consolidated it as a benchmark in specialized retail.

Next Steps and Market Expectations

The process now depends on regulatory authorization from the AMF. If everything proceeds as planned, Křetínský could consolidate his majority position in the first half of 2026. This operation reflects the continued interest of large investors in established European retail players, even in a context of profound changes driven by e-commerce. The market awaits to see if the new shareholding control will drive any changes in the operational strategy in the medium term. 📈