News - 30.11.2012

New Store Europe acquires Shopex

(Oslo, 30 November 2011) New Store Europe has entered into an agreement to acquire Shopex, the market leading shop fitter in the Netherlands. The combined entity will become one of the largest store design and shopfitting companies in Europe.

With combined revenues of approximately €250 million and 850 employees, New Store Europe will become one of the top three players in the shopfitting industry in Europe and number one within non food retail and international brand companies. The company will offer a full range of services across Europe to brand players and to specialist retailers, in addition to serving food retailers in the Nordics and UK.

Shopex has a strong position towards global brands and is a market leader in the Benelux markets with both its Benschop and Shopex brands. The Shopex Group head office, and its state-of-the-art wood and steel manufacturing sites, are located in the city of Den Bosch, the Netherlands. Shopex Group also maintains two offices in Benelux and a state of the art manufacturing facility close to Shanghai in China.

New Store Europe is a leading player within specialist retail in Europe, with strongholds in the UK and in the Nordics. The company is headquartered near Oslo, Norway, and has 11 offices across Europe. In 2011, it completed distinctive and successful store interior projects in more than 30 European countries.

The decision to combine the two companies was driven by growing demand from large, international clients and is in line with New Store Europe’s growth strategy. The two companies complement each other, and the combined entity will strengthen the product offering to both national and global retailers, as well as improving the ability to deliver projects locally. The alliance will not affect employees of either company.

Per Bjørgås, CEO of New Store Europe, says: “We are pleased to join forces with Shopex, which is an excellent business with a leading position towards global brands in addition to be the market leader in the Benelux market. With the acquisition, our foothold in mainland Europe will be substantially strengthened. We believe that the combined talent and resources of both Shopex and New Store Europe will provide our customers with new ideas and innovation, an improved global sourcing operation and a stronger ability to support our customers on an international basis.”

Rob Broers of Shopex commented: “We are delighted to be joining forces with New Store Europe and become a major player in Europe. We are convinced that together we present an unrivalled position to major retailers all over the continent.”

For more detailed information please contact:

New Store Europe: Mr Per Bjørgås, CEO of New Store Europe (T +47 64 97 76 50)

Shopex BV: Mr Rob Broers, Managing Director of Shopex (T +31 620 00 33 15)