Bain Capital's $5.4 Billion Move into Supermarkets
Deal News | Mar 10, 2025 | Ropes & Gray
Bain Capital has entered into an agreement to acquire various grocery, specialty, and other retail businesses from Seven & i Holdings for approximately $5.37 billion (814.7 billion yen). The acquisition encompasses 29 subsidiaries and affiliated companies, which include major supermarket chains such as Ito-Yokado and York-Benimaru and specialty retailers Loft, Akachan Honpo, and Seven & i Food Systems, the operator of Denny's. Bain Capital, established in 1984 and recognized globally, manages around $185 billion in assets with a substantial team distributed across 24 offices worldwide. Ropes & Gray, led by private equity partners Tsuyoshi Imai, Ben Morris, and others, provided advisory services to Bain Capital for this transaction. The signing of the definitive agreement was publicly announced on March 6, indicating Bain Capital's significant expansion into the retail sector.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Retail
- Legal Services
Geography
- Japan – The target companies, including supermarkets Ito-Yokado and York-Benimaru, operate predominantly in Japan.
- Global – Bain Capital is a global private investment firm with 24 offices on four continents, demonstrating the multinational nature of the transaction.
Industry
- Private Equity – Bain Capital is one of the world's leading private investment firms, highlighting the role of private equity in this acquisition.
- Retail – The acquisition involves grocery, specialty, and retail businesses, emphasizing the retail sector's critical aspect in this transaction.
- Legal Services – Ropes & Gray provided advisory services, showcasing the involvement of legal expertise in conducting complex transactions.
Financials
- $5.37 billion – The value of the acquisition involving Bain Capital and Seven & i Holdings.
- 814.7 billion yen – The transaction value in Japanese Yen for the acquisition.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bain Capital | Buyer | Company | A leading global private investment firm with significant assets under management. |
| Seven & i Holdings | Vendor | Company | A diversified retail company selling its grocery, specialty, and other retail businesses. |
| Ropes & Gray | Legal Advisor | Company | A legal firm advising Bain Capital on this acquisition. |
| Ito-Yokado | Target Company | Company | A major supermarket chain involved in the acquisition. |
| York-Benimaru | Target Company | Company | A supermarket chain part of the acquisition. |
| Loft | Target Company | Company | A specialty retailer included in the acquisition. |
| Akachan Honpo | Target Company | Company | A specialty retailer focused on baby products, part of the acquisition. |
| Seven & i Food Systems | Target Company | Company | Operates the family restaurant chain Denny's and included in the acquisition. |