Frasers Group takes stakes in Currys and Boohoo
Frasers Group has made “strategic investments” in both Currys and Boohoo, continuing a streak of acquisitions.
The House of Fraser owner has doubled its investment in electrical retailer Currys to 8.9% and taken a 5% stake in online fashion retailer Boohoo.
Frasers Group said that driving growth through strategic investments is a core part of its DNA.
“Under (CEO) Michael Murray’s leadership, we continue to build on our long track record of establishing supportive shareholder positions in attractive retail companies. We have a clear strategy to identify opportunities to invest in businesses which complement our existing sport, premium and luxury businesses, or help us to build and further utilise our sector-leading ecosystem”, the group said in a statement.
The investments are characteristic of a group which over recent times has made large numbers of acquisitions, most recently with a £75m investment in electrical retailer AO World and an increase in its stake in Boohoo rival ASOS.
The group said it sees potential synergies between Boohoo and its other brands including I Saw It First and Missguided.
It added that the Currys investment provides a “valuable opportunity” to build on its foothold within the electricals industry as well as the existing relationship between Currys and Frasers’ Studio Retail.
“Through this investment, we also believe Currys will benefit from Frasers’ deep retail know-how and our sector-leading ecosystem”, Frasers Group said.