Sayenko Kharenko advised Auchan Group on acquisition of Karavan Hypermarket chain
Sayenko Kharenko advised its long standing client Auchan Retail Ukraine, a part of Auchan Group, on acquisition of Karavan Hypermarket chain. The acquisition completed on 5 September 2017, appears to be the biggest deal in the Ukrainian retail sector to date and the largest local M&A transaction for the last four years.
After the successful completion of the deal, famous French international retail group almost doubled its presence in Ukraine, increasing overall number of its hypermarkets from 11 to 20 operating in 9 cities and providing employment to 7,100 people.
Sayenko Kharenko provided full transactional support, including general advice on corporate law and regulatory matters, two-stage legal due diligence, structuring of the transaction, preparing and negotiating all transactional documents and operational documents related to the hypermarkets, assisted with merger clearance and extensive pre-completion and completion work.
“Through this major investment in Ukraine after a number of difficult years, Auchan Retail is reasserting its confidence in the revival of the country’s economy, and its aim to offer our customers and employees the benefits of a major international retailer.” Gérard Gallet, Managing Director of Auchan Retail Ukraine.
Vladimir Sayenko, partner of Sayenko Kharenko, commented: “We are excited to see the revival of M&A and reappearance of major deals requiring sophisticated legal advice. This deal is a strong signal to the market that confidence in Ukraine is growing among international players.”
Read the official press release “Acquisition of the retailer Karavan in Ukraine.”
Sayenko Kharenko’s team involved in the deal was led by counsel Oleksandr Nikolaichyk with assistance of associates Andriy Zhupanyn, Oksana Andronyk, Mykhailo Grynyshyn, Daryna Dashkevych, Anastasiia Pavlovska, Aida Karagezian, Tetiana Tanchyn, Glib Bukharin and Zarina Khalimon under the general supervision of partner Vladimir Sayenko.
