Gifi acquires a stake in the group Trafic

Gifi, France’s leading budget-friendly homeware and family goods brand, accelerate its international expansion by partnering with the Belgian group Trafic. Family groups Gifi and Trafic, respectively mainly present in France and Belgium, have concluded a financial and operational agreement which takes the form of the acquisition by Gifi of a stake in Trafic’s capital. As part of this partnership, the Belgian distributor will have access to the products referenced on Gifi’s integrated central purchasing platform in order to boost its turnover. The collaboration between the two brands embodies the strategic willingness of the Gifi Group to find sources of growth abroad, in addition to its development strategy in France. The partnership will result in a combined network of 523 stores in five countries (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and the Ivory Coast). This alliance between two independent family businesses is based on a genuine complementarity and proximity of the two groups, focused on human and economic balance objectives, with a vision and long-term ambitions. About Gifi Group Founded in 1981 by Philippe Ginestet, current President, Gifi is France’s leading budget-friendly homeware and family goods brand, with an annual network sales of € 1.1 billion (including VAT) at September 30, 2015. Thanks to its integrated central purchasing platform, the Gifi Group has a key expertise enabling it to offer a wide range of product lines at the best price / quality ratio and regularly renewed. The brand, which enjoys a strong commercial dynamism, aims to pursue its expansion, through openings of company-owned stores and licensed stores, and the extension of some of its existing sales areas. The goal is to reach a network of 1,000 stores and 10,000 employees by 2027. The Group has currently a network of 441 stores (including 32 licensed stores) and 5 000 employees. About the Trafic Group The Trafic Group is a major player in discount stores and non-food distribution in Belgium.  Founded in 1983, Trafic has currently a network of 82 stores and has nearly 1,000 employees, with an annual network sales of € 250 million (including VAT).