Fusion & Acquisition

💧 Franke Group acquires Swiss company WESCO, enhancing its air filtration technology expertise and strengthening its position in the Swiss and German markets. WESCO AG, a recognized specialist in kitchen hoods and air filtration systems, along with its German subsidiary berbel Abluftechnik GmbH, a leading brand in Germany, reported a net revenue of 97 million Swiss francs for the fiscal year 2022/2023 and employs a total of 280 people. The acquisition awaits competition authority approval, and financial details remain undisclosed.

🏨 Alchemy Step Hotel Group (ASHG) expands its European hospitality market presence by acquiring FLI Group's portfolio of 8 hotels, now totaling 13 hotels with over 1,800 rooms in Belgium and Germany. The strategic acquisition includes renowned hotel brands like Mercure and Holiday Inn across key Belgian cities. Advised by JLL for mergers and acquisitions, ASHG aims to enhance asset value via renovations and rebranding, while seeking further investment opportunities in Europe.

🏕 Épargne Pierre and MyShareSCPI increased their stake from 50% to 100% in SCI Hopla, owning 9 premium outdoor hospitality sites valued at €174M. These sites are primarily located along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, as well as in Périgord and the Alpes de Haute Provence, operated by European Camping Group. As of June 30, 2024, Épargne Pierre's outdoor hospitality assets are valued at €190M, making up 7% of its property portfolio, while MyShareSCPI holds €26.2M in similar assets.

📅 Datalex, a company aiding airlines to increase conversion rates, has raised €25 million through a share issuance to stabilize finances and continue development. The funds will also be used to repay a €13 million loan. Their new product, Offer & Order Management System, aims to enhance revenue and conversions through improved offer personalization—clients include Air Macau, Air China, and Aer Lingus, leveraging AI for yield management strategies.

🏡 Groupe Lucien Barrière becomes the majority shareholder of Loulou Groupe, joining founders Gilles and Claire Malafosse, and associates including Pierre-Antoine Capton and Jean-Philippe Cartier. Loulou, known for its unique dining experiences, has established iconic locations in Paris, Ramatuelle, and Roquebrune Cap-Martin. Over a decade, the brand has cultivated authenticity, refinement, and relaxed elegance. Barrière, founded in 1912 by François André, is a centennial French family business recognized in luxury hospitality and leisure.

📝 Customer satisfaction is vital for long-term success; it informs product and service adaptations. Qualitative studies, unlike quantitative ones, use interviews to uncover deep insights through non-numeric data, providing an understanding of target group behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions. Employing open-ended questions ensures in-depth analysis, essential for actionable results. Companies can use tools like Guest Suite to gather and analyze customer feedback, improving their market position through trust-based customer relationships.

🏨 Hyatt, since 2017, doubled luxury rooms, tripled resort rooms and quintupled lifestyle rooms globally; positioned as fastest-growing luxury portfolio with most luxury branded resort rooms worldwide. Mid-year 2024 consumer sentiment report showed 88% of travelers have a steady intention for leisure travel. Crystal Vinisse Thomas, VP at Hyatt, highlighted customer feedback aiding in understanding key markets and leisure experiences, expanding luxury and lifestyle brands to new key markets like Deer Valley, Miami, and Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico.

💸 Market study of 10,000 global consumers by eDreams ODIGEO shows 82% increase in travelers comparing and combining flights or hotels from multiple providers before booking. In 2021, 17% didn't consider multiple airlines and hotels, dropping significantly to only 3% post-pandemic. Among French consumers, 81% compare multiple options, while only 5% stick to one provider. Bookings including multi-airline flights have more than doubled over the past three years.

🏨 Blackstone sold the G6 group (Motel 6 and Budget 6), which they bought from Accor for $1.9 billion in 2012, to Oravel Stays' OYO for $525 million. OYO already has around 320 hotels in 35 U.S. states and plans to expand by 100 hotels in 2023 and 250 more by 2024. Motel 6 generates $1.7 billion in revenue with nearly 1,500 franchised hotels. The deal is set to finalize in the 4th quarter.

🏀 57% of non-Francilians were inspired to travel across France due to summer sporting events. 25% specifically visited host cities for sports competitions, with 57% booking accommodations and 68% staying for 2-3 nights. 64% stayed in hotels/tourist residences, while 51% opted for home rentals. Outside Paris, 57% lodged in the suburbs. 75% combined their visits with tourism. The Booking.com study by Toluna Harris Interactive was conducted from July 26 to September 8, 2024.