Issue 11 2020

Acquisition International - Issue 11 2020 5 News : from around the world Accelerated Growth Despite Uncertain Times E-Commerce technology company The Moot Group, reports huge growth despite pandemic. The parent company of some of the UK’s leading homeware e-commerce platforms has reported 10x YoY growth since launching in 2018, and is on track to turnover £50 million by 2022. The Staffordshire-based business owns Olivia’s, the fastest growing premium homeware retailer in the country, and acquired competitor Houseology in the spring, along with further technology acquisitions. The company plans to raise investment in early 2021, to further support its growth through new hires and an aggressive international expansion programme. The parent company of some of the UK’s leading homeware e-commerce platforms, The Moot Group, has reported huge growth in 2020, with 10x YoY growth since launching in 2018. After a record year that saw online retail boom through the pandemic*, the Staffordshire-based business is on track to turnover £50 million by 2022, after its luxury homeware retailer brand, Olivia’s, became the fastest growing homeware marketplace in the country, boasting 1100% growth in 2020. The company also acquired competitor Houseology earlier in the year. The Moot Group also licenses its technology platform to the likes of Rolls Royce and Sports Direct. The Moot Group now plans to raise investment in early 2021, in order to accelerate its growth through new hires and the expansion of its brands overseas, starting with launching Olivia’s in the UAE and EU in October 2020. Luxury homeware brand Olivia’s has outperformed competitors since launching in 2018, with its staff increasing 6x YoY, as well as a 1100% growth in sales since last year. In February, The Moot Group acquired struggling competitor Houseology, which has since been relaunched to consumer and trade buyers. The Moot Group took on all assets, including its IP and stock, after poor sales in the last quarter of 2019, forced the company into administration. Since acquiring Houseology, The Moot Group has now turned Houseology into a profitable business within just four months. Alongside its homeware and furniture brands, The Moot Group boasts an annual recurring revenue of £3 million from third party technology licenses, for its customer acquisition technology and ecommerce tools. Nick Moutter, founder of Olivia’s, said, “I’m in a fortunate position to say 2020 has been an exceptional year for The Moot Group - the acquisitions we made earlier in the year have accelerated growth across all of our companies, as well as our unique and innovative approach to marketing the group’s e-commerce brands. “The next few years are looking very promising, and I hope our plans to recruit up to 50 members of staff over the next 12 months will provide some welcome positive news, in what is currently a very uncertain economy and jobs market. We already have investors lining up at the door to talk to us who are very excited about our expansion plans into international markets by the end of 2020. It’s definitely an exciting, and profitable, time to be part of The Moot Group.” AVS Fencing Supplies has acquired Bell Davis Limited, a Worthing-based supplier of landscaping products. AVS provides fencing, landscaping and outdoor living materials to both retail and trade customers. Founded 27 years ago, AVS became part of Lawsons Holdings Limited, a family- owned business and leading supplier of timber, fencing and building products in February 2020, with a clear ambition to expand its operation. AVS Managing Director, Roger Peace, said: “Our branches have local knowledge and take pride in serving their communities, making AVS a trusted name in the market. Bell Davis shares our values and is a good fit for our expanding network.” The acquisition of Bell Davis brings the number of AVS branches in the south of England to eleven; the business employs more than 120 staff in the region. Roger Peace continued: “Danos Athanasi has a long association with AVS, and the DMH Stallard team’s knowledge of the business meant that even negotiating against the backdrop of Covid-19 restrictions didn’t disrupt the progress or completion of the deal. We very much look forward to working with Danos and Anjli Majevadia on future acquisitions.” Danos Athanasi led the DMH Stallard team, supported by Corporate Associate, Anjli Majevadia. Athanasi commented: “Having worked with AVS for many years, we were delighted to have the opportunity to assist on the ongoing development of the AVS/Lawsons business. I have every confidence that their expansion is set to continue.” DMH Stallard Advises AVS Fencing Supplies On Expansion