Today
Chemist Warehouse: A look inside the deal of 2023
This week on The Fin podcast, Carrie LaFrenz and James Thomson on the rise of Chemist Warehouse, its deal with Sigma and the biggest risk facing the new merged business.
Yesterday
KMD dives to lowest since 2020 after sales drop 12.5pc
The owner of Rip Curl and Kathmandu says orders from its wholesale customers have dried up, while sales of rainwear and puffer jackets were weak due to warmer weather in Australia.
- Carrie LaFrenz
This Month
- Exclusive
- Retail
Foster Blake sold Go-To stake for $89m. She’s bought it back for a fraction of that
The former Young Rich Lister, along with her co-founder Paul Bates, have taken back control of the skincare brand from the failed BWX Group.
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Chemist Warehouse deal just part of David Di Pilla’s big plan
In helping to bring the retail giant and Sigma together, he is playing the long game and hopes to create a “mini Blackstone” in Australia.
- James Thomson
Jan Cameron guilty of misleading market by hiding Bellamy’s stake
The judgment was delivered more than two years after the hearing which ran for two weeks through October and November 2021.
- Max Mason and Carrie LaFrenz
Koala Eco cleans up with $3m in Series A funding
The Australian company has gotten noticed in the US and will leverage that with new capital. “We are going at this market with everything we have,” said co-founder Paul Davidson.
- Lauren Sams
ACCC gives nod to Woolworths pets deal with asset sales in tow
The purchase price for the supermarket giant’s 55 per cent stake in the pet company is now expected to be $438 million, reduced from $586 million.
- Carrie LaFrenz
HMC Capital opens back door to Sigma-Chemist Warehouse deal
Street Talk understands about 80 brokers tuned in for a lunchtime briefing from the asset manager on Wednesday.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Sigma could shed customers after Chemist Warehouse merger
The deal, creating an $8.8 billion retail and wholesaling giant, could even be blocked by competition regulators, according to analysts at Morningstar.
- Carrie LaFrenz and Tom Richardson
- Updated
- Mergers & acquisitions
Chemist Warehouse’s 100-year plan to be the next Walgreens
Chemist Warehouse CEO Mario Verrocchi says the retailer could become the next Walgreens or Boots and expand rapidly overseas after becoming an $8.8 billion ASX-listed pharmacy giant.
- Updated
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The 100-year dream that powers Chemist Warehouse
The company is on the verge of achieving a 50-year dream with the $8.8 billion Sigma merger. It insists there’s plenty of growth to come.
- Updated
- James Thomson
Chemist Warehouse boss targets growth of ‘infinity and beyond’
Mario Verrocchi, one of the billionaire founders of the pharmacy chain, says international expansion will be a key focus for the company as it joins the ASX.
- Simon Evans
Gerry Harvey and Unilever pile into local hair care start-up Straand
Earlier this year, Sephora agreed to stock the fast-growing hair and scalp care brand in stores across Australia, the United Kingdom and Asia.
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Exclusive
- Retail
Retail sector to bounce back in 2024 faster than expected
The sector will be helped by higher population growth and moderating interest rates, says KPMG partner James Stewart.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Woolworths’ new Mosman store a triumph over nimbyism
The popularity of the wealthy suburb’s new supermarket demonstrates how the outlets benefit local shopping districts.
- Aaron Patrick
Guzman y Gomez appoints Kmart and Target executive as new CFO
Backed by TDM Growth Partners, Barrenjoey and Aware Super, the company is attempting to end a period of leadership instability ahead of an ASX listing.
- Primrose Riordan
Shiseido snaps up stake in Bondi grooming brand Patricks
Boutique corporate advisory Lempriere Wells was seeking to raise up to $10 million for the group, founded by Patrick Kidd and wife Aimee.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Influential pharmacy lobby comes out against Chemist Warehouse deal
The Pharmacy Guild says the proposed reverse listing of the company into Sigma, creating an $8 billion giant, posed “significant questions and risks”.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Project Dawn: A flyer, a banker and a candlestick maker
Ords corporate finance team knows its target better than most, having advised Dusk on its $124 million initial public offering in October 2020.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Competition regulator drags its paws on Woolworths’ PETstock buy
Next week will mark the 12-month anniversary of Street Talk’s report that the supermarket giant was preparing to buy the pet foods and accessories group.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
