Retail & e-commerce

Weinhold Legal advised Broadview on the Czech aspects of its multi-jurisdictional acquisition of Direct Online Services (DOS), a leading multi-channel e-commerce retailer that provides high quality kitchen components (especially worktops). DOS is headquartered in the United Kingdom and the DOS group employs 270 full time workers. In 2019, DOS’s consolidated sales reached GBP 39 million.

Weinhold Legal provided comprehensive legal advice to GATE4AD on the launch of the web portal http://www.gate4ad.com, which was officially launched into operation on September 1, 2021. This web portal is the first Czech online platform for the purchase of media space with the ambition to be the first European portal of its kind since the end of this year. Our advice included all issues of media and internet law related to the operation of such a portal.

The Weinhold Legal team successfully represented the founders and 100% owners of the e-shop Libristo Media in its sale to the Albatros Media group. This transaction represents an important milestone for both parties. The move gives Albatros Media Group, a leading player in the book publishing and sales market in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, a strong position in foreign language literature and online sales. The move will enable Albatros Media to expand its product range and sales method and offer its customers an even wider range of quality titles.

Auto Kelly / ELIT

Weinhold Legal provided full legal services to the vendors on the sale of 100% of the shares in the largest automotive spare parts and accessories supplier in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, AUTO KELLY, to the leading European automotive spare parts and accessories supplier RHIAG, backed by ALPHA Private Equity. Weinhold Legal also provided legal services to LKQ Corporation – a leading US distributor of auto parts and accessories – in connection with the acquisition of Rhiag-Inter Auto Parts group from the private equity group Apax Partners. The announced deal value was EUR 1.04 billion. Weinhold Legal provided legal services in two jurisdictions: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Further, Weinhold Legal assisted LKQ group in relation to the issue of senior notes in the aggregate principal amount of EUR 500 million due 2024 and white wash procedure.

ČEDOK

Weinhold Legal provided comprehensive legal advice to the Polish group ITAKA, the biggest travel agency active on the Polish market, in respect of the acquisition of the oldest and the most famous Czech travel agency ČEDOK. ČEDOK has been on the market continuously since 1920. Our legal services in relation to the acquisition of ČEDOK included among others advice on transactional structure, legal due diligence and negotiating contractual documentation governed by Czech law. Further, Weinhold Legal has been representing the client in the process of obtaining the antimonopoly clearance.

Sarantis/Astrid, Indulona

Weinhold Legal provided legal advice to SARANTIS, one of the European leaders in the field of cosmetics and household products, concerning the acquisition of the famous Czech cosmetic brand ASTRID. ASTRID has a rich tradition with a history dating back to 1847. Our legal services in relation to a company acquisition, manufacturing facility and related trademarks, included advice on transactional structure, legal due diligence and negotiating contractual documentation governed by Czech law. Weinhold Legal also provided comprehensive legal advice in respect of the acquisition of Slovak and Czech companies through which SARANTIS added, amongst others, the famous Slovak and Czech cosmetic brand INDULONA to its portfolio of brands. INDULONA is a brand with one of the richest traditions – it is a well-known, award-winning cosmetics brand boasting a 70-year history of successful presence in the Czech/Slovak market. It is the most popular and No. 1 selling product within the hand care category in both Czechia and Slovakia.

Bohemia Sekt

Weinhold Legal provided legal services to Bohemia Sekt, one of the largest producers of wines in central and Eastern Europe, in connection with the of sale of parts of its business to Stock Plzeň company. Legal services included advice on structuring of transaction and negotiating of documentation to Czech law.

Aelia (Lagardére)

Weinhold Legal provided complex support to Aelia (Lagardére group) in connection with the acquisition of 15 duty free shops at the Prague Airport in Ruzyně from the Unimex Group. This followed our complex assistance to Aelia in its successful 764 million CZK (nearly 30 million EUR) bid for acquiring from Czech Airlines the on-board sale and duty free business.

SPAR Group Austria

Weinhold Legal advised Austrian SPAR group, one of the leading retail chains, in the sale of two of its subsidiaries in the Czech Republic to Dutch Royal Ahold group, making Ahold the largest retailer in the Czech Republic. The purchase price for the business which comprises 36 INTERSPAR hypermarkets and 14 SPAR supermarkets with an annual turnover of about 540 million EUR and almost 4 700 employees amounted to 192 million EUR. The transaction was reported in media in March 2014 as the largest ever retail chain acquisition in the Czech market. Our advice included legal assistance in structuring the transaction; a seller’s due diligence of selected matters; participation in negotiations; preparation of the contractual documentation under Czech law; and a review of the contractual documentation under Austrian law. Our activities further comprised representation of SPAR in the proceedings before the Czech Antimonopoly Office regarding approval of concentration of undertakings.

Lagardére Travel Retail

Weinhold Legal further assisted Lagardére Travel Retail in its successful concession bid to operate travel essentials shops at Václav Havel airport. Travel essentials includes smaller products such as travel goods, tobacco products, newspapers and magazines, souvenirs, etc. Weinhold Legal assisted Lagardére Travel Retail, the global operator of duty free shops, in the concession procedure that it won to become the operator of duty free shops at Václav Havel airport. In winning the tender Lagardére acquired a contract to lease 24 business units with an area of 4,371 square meters. The initial term of the contract is ten years, during which the total rent is up to 8 billion Czech crowns.

Spar

Weinhold Legal advised the Spar Group in the complex restructuring of its Czech operations. These services included the transfer of a company with several hundred employees, real estate, business interests in subsidiaries, as well as the increase and reduction of share capital. Weinhold Legal also provided services in corporate matters and in the preparation of complete transaction documentation.

První novinová společnost

Weinhold Legal obtained merger clearance from the Czech Antimonopoly Office for První novinová společnost (PNS), the largest domestic press distributor, in connection with the acquisition of the alternative postal operator Mediaservis.

Plzeňský Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell)

Weinhold Legal provided the majority shareholder of Plzeňský Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell) as well as the target company with comprehensive legal assistance relating to the squeeze-out of minority shareholders, including the preparation of the required legal documentation, organisation of the general meeting and assistance with registration proceedings and the transfer of shares to the majority shareholder.

GRANETTE/ Palírna u Zeleného stromu – Starorežná Prostějov

Weinhold legal provided legal advice to GRANETTE, one of the biggest liquor producers in the Czech Republic, on restructuring of Palírna u Zeleného stromu – Starorežná Prostějov which was taken-over by GRANETTE in the past. In respect of restructuring of its business, including various corporate changes, we implemented a spin-off of Starorežná’s business into GRANETTE.

Coca-Cola

Weinhold Legal provided legal services to Coca-Cola HBC Česko a Slovensko in connection with crossborder merger with Slovak subsidiary.