15 February 2018: Cashmere clothing and accessories

The Autorité de la concurrence clears the acquisition of the Bompard group
(Eric Bompard) by Apax Partners and Compagnie Marco Polo
(Paule Ka, Bon ton, Le Petit Souk)

The notified transaction

On 22 January 2018, the investment fund managed by Apax Partners SAS and the Compagnie Marco Polo (CMP) company notified the Autorité de la concurrence of their intention to acquire the Bompard group.

Parties to the transaction

Apax Partners is a portfolio management company active in the investment capital sector.

Compagnie Marco Polo (CMP) is a simplified joint-stock company (société par actions simplifiée, SAS) at the head of a group composed of several companies, among which Bonton, Paule KA, Le Petit Souk which are active in the distribution of clothing and accessories, as well as Ventrashoes specialized in the shoe retail distribution.

The Bompard group is especially involved in the retail distribution of cashmere clothing and accessories via its own stores and its distance sales services.


The Autorité was able to rule out any competition issue


As the companies’ positions in the market are limited, the Autorité de la concurrence ruled out all risk of a distortion of competition and agreed to the transaction without conditions.


A decision taken within a short time frame

Due to the absence of competition issues, the Autorité cleared the transaction within a very short time frame (8 working days before the expiry of the legal time limit of 25 working days.)



> See Full text of Decision 18-DCC-23 of 15 February 2018 regarding the acquisition of joint control of the Bompard group by Apax Partners SAS and Compagnie Marco Polo SAS

 > Press contact: Chloé Duretête  +33 1 55 04 01 20 / Email