Spanish label Bimba y Lola plans to go public to finance international growth

Spanish label Bimba y Lola could go public to finance its international expansion. The womenswear and accessories label is reportedly thinking of taking the stock market route to finance growth outside of its domestic borders.

According to Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia, two months after halting its sale to British investment fund Permira, Bimba y Lola is preparing for a capital market listing. Until July 27, a 70% stake in the Vigo-based label was up for sale, and Bimba y Lola received bids worth €400 million for it.

Shortly before the operation with Permira was due to close however, the deal fell through, leading Bimba y Lola to seek other ways of financing its future growth. A successful stock market listing would give Bimba y Lola sufficient liquidity to continue along its planned route and, at the same time, allow sisters María and Uxía Domínguez, the brand’s founders, to maintain control.

According to La Voz de Galicia sources, Bimba y Lola is planning to make available on the stock market a majority stake in the company, worth up to €200 million, equivalent to five times its EBITDA, which in 2017 was €33.5 million.

Bimba y Lola is currently present in 26 countries, operating a network of 249 directly owned stores. International expansion is one of the mainstays of its development plan. The label is looking to strengthen its position in the European, Latin American and Asian countries where it is already present, such as Italy, Mexico and France, and also to enter new markets with growth potential.

Bimba y Lola closed the 2017 financial year with a revenue of €180.8 million, up 18.5% over the previous year.

Spanish label Bimba y Lola plans to go public to finance international growth

See also