Dutch multi-channel retailer HEMA, which has nine stores in the UK – to include a flagship 350m2 store on London’s Tottenham Court Road – has been acquired by Ramphastos Investments owned by entrepreneur Marcel Boekhoorn.
To enable HEMA to fulfill its growth ambitions, international expansion inside and outside Europe will be increased to include the core markets of the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as e-commerce.
“This is the best scenario for HEMA, our customers, staff and franchisees,” commented Tjeerd Jegen, ceo of HEMA. “In recent years, Marcel Boekhoorn and his team have shown strong engagement with their portfolio companies, encouraged entrepreneurship, and demonstrated a keen investment vision. This paves the way to be working with our new owner and our franchisees on a stronger and more financially healthy HEMA.”
Marcel Boekhoorn, entrepreneur and owner of Ramphastos added: “HEMA is an iconic brand with fantastic international opportunities. The acquisition fits my ambition to let businesses grow. Together with HEMA’s staff and its franchisees, I want to support HEMA in becoming a global brand.”
HEMA, founded in Amsterdam in 1926, offers 30,000 products – to include giftware, tableware, jewellery, children’s, home-fragrancing, stationery and kitchenware – with over 750 stores in nine countries, employing over 19,000 people.
The retailer, whose motto is ‘making the ordinary’, opened its first store in the at Victoria station in 2014. The store formula is based on living spaces within the home, organised around 10 themes – He, She, Home, Cook, Eat, Sleep, Kids, Baby, Study and Bath.
Top: HEMA’s UK country manager Sam Macgregor (third from the right) and international director and HEMA management team member Richard Flint (second left) are shown at the opening of the flagship HEMA store on London’s Tottenham Court Road last year. Cutting the tape is the Dutch ambassador Simon Smit.
