Portfolio
Nature of Business
Since its establishment in 1993, Benelux-based Action has grown into the leading non-food discount retailer in the region with more than 280 stores across the Benelux and over 8,000 employees. The business generates revenues of over €700m p.a.
Action’s business model is differentiated to the model of more traditional retailers because only 35% of its total product range is fixed. Action aims to surprise its customers with a constantly refreshed product range at amazingly low prices. The business model is summed up in the slogan: "Surprisingly comprehensive, amazingly affordable." Large-scale procurement, optimal distribution and a cost-conscious corporate culture ensure very low prices.
Core product assortment includes household goods and office supplies, cosmetics, personal care, snacks and food, toys, textiles, glass, porcelain and pottery, seasonal, decorative and DIY.
Investment Overview
Building on its past success, Action aims to accelerate its growth in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and other countries, such as France. This will require management expansion and significant investments. Our extensive European retail knowledge will prove of great value in enabling Action to realise its ambitions more quickly.
Through our Business Leaders Network, the Action Management Board has been strengthened with the appointment of Ronald van der Mark as Chairman. Van der Mark, previously a member of the Management Board of Maxeda, brings extensive financial and operational retail experience to the business.
We also recruited Johan Paxdoel who has extensive discount retail experience at Aldi, as CEO. In addition Marc van Gelder, CEO of Mediq, a Dutch publicly quoted pharmacy business, has assumed a role as Non Executive Director.
Our investment in Action was recognised as the Deal of the Year at the annual Dutch M&A Awards in December 2011.