EP Group (EPG) is a group of Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský. Its European investments include the French electronics retailer Fnac Darty, which has almost 30,000 employees and more than 1,500 stores in 14 countries [1][2]. Fnac Darty's revenue exceeded ten billion euros in 2024. [3]
Takeover of Fnac Darty
At the beginning of 2026 the group announced its intention to raise its stake of roughly one third in the company; in October 2026 it held 28.5 percent. For the offer it set up the company EP FR HOLDCo. The French financial markets regulator (AMF) approved the offer on 7 May 2026, and the European Commission approved the acquisition in October 2026, which according to a press release by Fnac Darty and EP FR HOLDCo is the last expected approval [1][2].
The group offers 35 euros per share and 81.16 euros per OCEANE convertible bond, with a settlement date of 12 November 2026. The price of 35 euros per share applies after payment of a dividend of one euro for 2025, which the company paid in June 2026. [3] The French regulator is expected to announce the timetable of the offer shortly, and completion is expected in early November [1][2]. According to an independent expert, the financial terms of the offer are fair to both shareholders and holders of OCEANE bonds. [3]
Since 2025 EP Group has controlled the British postal company Royal Mail, which, according to the trade union CWU, loses almost 400 delivery workers every week. [4]
In October 2026 Royal Mail announced the elimination of up to 2,500 jobs at its headquarters and in support functions, which does not affect front-line delivery workers. [4]
Pages linking here
Chronology
- — The European Commission approved the takeover of a majority stake in the French electronics retailer Fnac Darty by Daniel Křetínský's EP Group, which offers shareholders 35 euros per share. ČTK / České noviny Novinky.cz
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 20 October 2026
- Novinky.cz — 20 October 2026
- Hospodářské noviny — 20 October 2026
- ČTK / České noviny — 14 October 2026