Natixis Partners advised Equistone Partners Europe & Groupe Chevrillon on the sale of Dugas group to Stock Spirits

Dugas, founded in 1980, is a leading French retailer of premium spirits, enjoying a portfolio of c. 120 premium and exclusive brands, mainly composed of rums and whiskies. Historically focused on the retail of third-party brands, Dugas has recently developed its own brands (Les Rhums de Ced' and La Maison du Rhum). Over the last few years, the Group has also expanded its activities outside France through the acquisition of two distributors in Belgium and Luxembourg. The Group benefits from a strong footprint in all traditional distribution channels (chained and independent cavists, mass retail). Thanks to the acquisition of Rhums de Ced' in 2018, Dugas has also acquired its own production capacities, enabling the Group to develop new spirits. Equistone Partners Europe, Dugas’ main shareholder, together with Groupe Chevrillon and the managers, have sold their shares in the group to Stock Spirits. Stock Spirits is one of the leading alcoholic beverage companies in Central Europe, with a product offer mainly composed of flavored spirits and vodkas. The Group has a portfolio of 70 brands available in over 50 countries and employs over 1,200 people. Thanks to Stock Spirits, Dugas will leverage its strong expertise in the creation and distribution of premium spirits brands to further enhance its activity with mass retail. The transaction with Stock Spirits will enable Dugas to become a unique player in the spirits category in France. Natixis Partners advised the Sellers in this transaction.