Strategic Alliance Forms Among MC Sonae, Druni, Arenal, and the Casp Family
In a bold move within the beauty and wellness sector, MC Sonae and the founding partners of Druni joined forces with Arenal to shape a major industry alliance in the Iberian Peninsula. Druni, a leading beauty and wellness retailer in Spain with a substantial footprint, is part of a broader strategy to scale both physical stores and online platforms. The deal, described in a recent official statement, centers on combining strengths to drive accelerated growth and enhanced market presence across Spain and Portugal.
Within the framework of this agreement, MC Sonae contributes its current stake in Arenal, a venture in which it holds a 60 percent share, while the Vázquez family maintains a 40 percent stake as founding shareholders. The collaboration also includes a significant investment forming a joint venture with the Casp family, the founders of Druni. This arrangement positions the Casp family as a key partner in the newly formed holding structure.
As the integration progresses, Druni will assume leadership of the new group as it consolidates the combined operations into a unified holding company, with MC Sonae retaining a 50 percent controlling interest. The Arenal founders will hold a minority stake, while the Casp family, through the Carlet Group based in Valencia, will safeguard the group’s corporate headquarters and governance framework. The overall setup aims to create a robust platform that blends Druni’s and Arenal’s complementary strengths under a common strategic umbrella.
The alliance leverages the assets and capabilities of MC Sonae, Druni, and Arenal. The planned combination of Druni and Arenal will result in a dual-banner portfolio that benefits from each network’s footprint, supply chain capabilities, and customer reach. This approach is designed to accelerate growth in both physical stores and digital channels by leveraging the synergy between store networks, product assortments, and omnichannel capabilities.
Leadership for the new group will be guided by Bernardo Casp, who will lead the project alongside his brother, José Casp. They have enlisted Rafael Márzan Vázquez, a professional with extensive industry experience, to join the management team and help steer the company through its next phase of expansion and integration.
The closing of the transaction remains contingent on clearance from the relevant regulatory authorities and is anticipated to occur in the second half of 2023. Executives from MC Sonae and Druni emphasized that this operation will forge a leading operator within a high-growth segment across the Iberian Peninsula. By uniting forces, the alliance aims to unlock new opportunities and deliver a stronger future for MC Sonae, Druni, and Arenal.
Legal and financial counsel for the deal includes Cuatrecasas and Deloitte for Druni’s shareholders, with MC Sonae acting as corporate financial advisor. King & Wood Mallesons provided legal guidance on the transaction, underscoring the cross-border nature of the alliance and the complexity of aligning multiple family and corporate governance structures across Spain and Portugal.
Overall, the strategic partnership is designed to create a reference operator within a market poised for accelerated growth, driven by a combination of strong retail networks, diverse product lines, and an integrated online presence. The collaboration signals a clear commitment to expanding market reach and delivering enhanced value to customers through a more seamless, multi-channel shopping experience.