Australia’s Super Retail to acquire sports goods chain Rebel Group for A$610 mln
17 Oct 2011
Australia's Super Retail Group today said that it will acquire local sports goods retailer Rebel Group from Archer Capital for A$610 million ($630 million) to enter into leisure retail business.
Rebel was created through the merger of three iconic Australian sports stores chains, Amart All Sports was acquired in 2004 by Archer Capital backed by a management buy-out, it then went on to buy Rowe & Jarman, in 2005 and Rebel Sport in March 2007 for A$369 million.
Sydney-based Rebel is Australia's top sporting goods and apparel retailer with a market leading brand. The acquisition comprises of 90 Rebel Sport stores, 36 Amart stores and 2 Performance Sports stores.
The sports chain has annual sales of A$670 million. In January, Archer put off plans for an initial public offer for Rebel Group due to market concerns, which would have valued the chain at around $735 million.
Super Retail said that the acquisition accelerates the group's strategic objective of establishing itself as the leading retailer of automotive and leisure products in the Australian market.
Super Retail comprises four businesses, Supercheap Auto, Boating Camping and Fishing, Goldcross Cycles and Ray's Outdoors.
