The retail environment is evolving at a fast pace. There are many challenges but also opportunities for international growth and brand-building across multiple channels. Are you ready for them?

Any retail business will be familiar with a range of challenges from changing tax rules and supply chain optimisation to data management and increased margin pressures. Hiring and retaining skilled people has also never been tougher. And embracing the ESG agenda needs to be handled right, or you may face reputational risks.

Retailers that can navigate these multiple pressures while also increasing value through the opportunities at hand is the business that will survive.

  • Practical and personal
  • We are where you are
  • We know retail
  • Practical and personal
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    We understand your business and work collaboratively with you to achieve your strategic ambitions.
  • We are where you are
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    We operate across the globe with experts in over 130 countries providing local support wherever you need it.
  • We know retail
    We know retail
    We support over 550 businesses across the sector, from high-street shops to e-commerce players to omnichannel retailers.

Retail M&A sector review: Summer 2024

The retail sector is recovering. The key trends and notable deals across the market are covered in our latest review.

    Nicola Mousley
    Partner, National Head of Consumer Industries
    Nicola Sartori

    How we help our clients

    Modern retail businesses need both local support and global scale to grow. Our retail and e-commerce team operates across the UK and in 130 countries – we're there to support you, wherever you need us. Many of our specialists have worked in industry and bring real experience and insights to the table.

    We understand your concerns, and combine industry expertise with technical capabilities to help you maximise shareholder value while managing risk. We will help you to reduce costs and identify investment opportunities to strengthen revenue and enhance value.

    Some of the services we offer are:

    Perfect partners in a deal for growth

    Challenge
    The Devon-based founders of ethical homeware brand Nkuku were seeking private equity investment to accelerate the growth of their business, which sells directly to consumers through its website and other retailers.
    Solution
    Bridges Fund Management made a compelling partner with its investment focus on developing a more inclusive, sustainable economy. We provided buy-side advice, project management services and due diligence.
    Results
    Key to the deal process were providing latest sector insight and acting as a sounding board to Bridges. Our project management services helped facilitated the sale within a compact timeline.
    What our clients say about us
    We have grown our business substantially since founding it in 2009, and it was hugely important to us that we found a partner which would support us to drive the next phase of growth while maintaining the culture and brand which we love. We have found this partner in BGF. Grant Thornton’s advice throughout the process was invaluable ... we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the team.
    Stephen Hewitt, Co-founder and Managing Director, Character.com
    The team were able to cut straight to the key issues as a result of their sector experience. Their tirelessly efficient and diligent approach meant we were able to transact on a very short timeline. Overall, a great combination of teams to work with and they delivered a really strong result.
    Emma Thorne Investment Director, Bridges Fund Management

    Memberships

    We are a partner of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), engaging with its forums and providing insightful content to members on key opportunities and challenges in the Retail space.