Volati acquires Akademibokhandeln for SEK 760M

Volati, a Stockholm, Sweden-based industrial group, announced the acquisition of Akademibokhandeln Holding AB - a leading bookshop actor. The transaction was made at an estimated enterprise value of approximately SEK 760 million.

Akademibokhandeln Holding AB had in 2016 net sales of SEK 1.8bn with an EBITDA of 125 million.

Akademibokhandeln is the leading bookstore player in Sweden with a market share of approximately 35 percent of consumer bookstore with strong offerings in all product and delivery forms.

With 108 stores, of which 80 owned and 28 operated by franchisees, across the country, and e-commerce both branded Akademibokhandeln and Bokus run the company modern and profitable sales channels for private individuals, companies and the public sector. Akademibokhandeln want with their vision of the joy of reading to everyone, every day, be a hub of cultural life and a meeting place for literature.

Volati has signed an agreement to acquire the shares of Akademibokhandeln Holding AB from Accent Equity 2012 (71.7 percent), JP Guy Berg Bookshop Limited (11.1 percent), the Foundation publishing house Natur & Kultur (11.1 percent) and Watercress & Co ( 1.0 percent).

The management of the company will remain a shareholding equivalent to 5.2 percent of the shares in Akademibokhandeln Holding AB.

Akademibokhandeln will become a fourth business area within Volati alongside Trade, Consumer and Industrial.