E-Commerce Acquisitions

Trove, a branded resale company, has acquired Recurate to expand its presence in the branded resale market. The deal combines Trove’s trade-in, returns processing, and inventory management capabilities with Recurate’s peer-to-peer resale expertise and Shopify integrations, and is expected to broaden Trove’s brand network and market reach in the U.S.

Olsam Group, a London-based eCommerce platform, acquired Dwarfs (Dwarfs.io), an eCommerce aggregator based in the Netherlands. The combination is intended to deepen Olsam’s off-Amazon marketplace capabilities (including Bol.com) and support omni-channel and geographic expansion across Europe and North America. In connection with the deal, the combined company will also receive an enlarged credit facility to fund future strategic acquisitions.

BAXUS, a marketplace for buying, selling, and trading rare wines and spirits, announced it has acquired BoozApp, a mobile app focused on liquor pricing transparency and collection tracking. The combination is intended to provide users with more comprehensive pricing data, improved confidence/security around collections, and broader reach among casual drinkers, collectors, and enthusiasts.

Society Brands, an Ohio-based e-commerce company, acquired New Hampshire-based Yankee Toy Box. Yankee Toy Box sells licensed apparel and other consumer products via direct-to-consumer channels and online marketplaces such as Amazon. Co-founders Lisa and Kermit Zerr will remain in leadership roles following the acquisition.

Profound Commerce acquired FBA Capital Management’s portfolio of e-commerce marketplace brands, expanding Profound Commerce’s brand-holding platform and increasing scale. As part of the transaction, FBA Capital Management will take a minority stake in Profound Commerce and its principals will join Profound Commerce’s board and leadership team.

Equistone Partners Europe has acquired a majority stake in Virgin Experience Days from Inflexion Private Equity, with financial terms undisclosed. Inflexion will retain a minority stake, and the management team led by CEO Richard Hurd-Wood will reinvest in the business as the company continues to expand across the UK and US.

Queenly, a formalwear marketplace and search engine, announced that it has acquired Mi Padrino, a quinceañera-focused marketplace and event planning platform for the Latinx community. Mi Padrino will fold completely into Queenly, expanding Queenly’s user base, vendor inventory, and content library. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Westbridge Capital Ltd. has closed the acquisition of sliBuy Inc., an online no-reserve auction marketplace. sliBuy is headquartered in Shorewood, Illinois and focuses on purchasing and reselling store-level inventories from major United States retailers. Founder Michael Ringelsten will remain involved as a shareholder and director, and Steve Fitzgerald will assume the role of CEO.

H.I.G. Capital-backed Highbourne Group Limited has completed the acquisition of Plumbworld Limited, a UK e-commerce specialist for bathroom, kitchen, plumbing and heating products. The deal is intended to strengthen Highbourne’s omni-channel capabilities and accelerate its digital strategy, expanding its footprint across the UK and Ireland.

Custom Ink has acquired Printfection, an enterprise swag management platform used by large brands to create, manage, track and distribute branded merchandise and gifts. Financial terms were not disclosed, and Printfection will continue operating largely independently under its founders while integration plans are developed.

Olsam Group has completed the acquisition of the assets of Flywheel Commerce, a US-based e-commerce aggregator. The deal is intended to expand Olsam’s global footprint, particularly in North America, while continuing to operate Flywheel’s brands in the United States and scaling them into the United Kingdom and European Union.

Digital Fuel Capital announced the recapitalization of its portfolio company, Renovation Brands, led by Comvest Partners. Digital Fuel, founder Rick Morse, and the Renovation Brands management team will remain significant investors in the business, which operates a multi-brand direct-to-consumer home improvement e-commerce platform.

H.I.G. Growth Partners, an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, completed a strategic growth investment in GLD, LLC. GLD is a digitally native, direct-to-consumer ecommerce brand selling jewelry, accessories, and apparel, headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Two Sigma Impact and Avance Investment Management acquired Wholesale Supplies Plus (WSP), an e-commerce provider of ingredients, supplies, and packaging for soap, skincare, and candle artisans. WSP will continue to be led by CEO Sam Solomon and the existing senior management team. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Wheel Group (TWG), a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital, acquired Tuff Stuff Overland, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform selling overland outdoor accessory products. TWG expects the acquisition to complement its existing aftermarket wheels and accessories business and expand its offering in the truck, SUV, and car enthusiast markets.

Cohere Capital, a Boston-based private equity firm, made a strategic growth investment in CCS, a Portland, Oregon-based direct-to-consumer digital brand and e-commerce retailer focused on streetwear and skateboard equipment. The investment is intended to support CCS’ continued technology-enabled product and service expansion and accelerate the company’s growth and brand momentum.

Investcorp announced an investment in FreshToHome as part of a US$121 million funding round alongside other investors. FreshToHome is an integrated online brand for fresh fish and meat, leveraging an AI-powered supply chain to source directly from fishermen and farmers, and is expanding across India and into the GCC region.

NewSpring Growth, the growth and expansion strategy of NewSpring, announced an investment in FASHIONPHILE. FASHIONPHILE is a luxury recommerce company focused on buying and selling ultra-luxury pre-owned handbags, watches, fine jewelry, and accessories, and plans to use the proceeds to expand operations and invest further in technology and automation.

IAFSTORE, an Italy-based online sports nutrition and supplements platform, received a significant strategic investment from the European Fund of L Catterton. The investment will support IAFSTORE’s expansion in the fast-growing Italian online supplement market; financial terms were not disclosed.

Guardian Capital Partners invested in Flat River Group, LLC, partnering with the company’s executive management team who will continue to operate the business. Flat River Group, headquartered in Belding, Michigan, is an eCommerce distributor, marketer, and service provider focused on solving eCommerce-specific sourcing, inventory management, and drop-shipping challenges. The transaction included financing from CIBC Bank USA and additional financing and minority equity from Centerfield Capital Partners.

Benford Capital Partners, LLC and Will Daly acquired Warehouse-Lighting.com (WHL), a New Berlin, Wisconsin-based B2B e-commerce distributor and marketer of energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures and related products. The transaction was completed in partnership with founder and President James (“Jamie”) Abraham, who will remain president and reinvest in the company post-closing.

Insignia Capital Group made a strategic investment in Netrush, a fast-growing Amazon retailer and e-commerce marketplace services provider. Netrush is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, and its founders Brian Gonsalves and Chris Marantette retained majority ownership and will continue as CEO and President, respectively; financial terms were not disclosed.

BV Investment Partners announced the sale of Plasco ID to the Barcodes Group. Plasco ID, an identification and access control solutions provider with operations in Miami, Florida and St. Louis Park, Minnesota, will combine with Barcodes Group to create a larger platform serving customers across the United States and internationally.

3 Rivers Capital (3RC) announced it has acquired Interlight, a family-owned online distributor specializing in rare and hard-to-find light bulbs and batteries. 3RC plans to partner with Interlight’s existing management team and has hired ecommerce veteran Jeffry Graham as CEO to support the company’s next phase of growth.

Kian Capital completed a majority recapitalization of The Eastwood Company in partnership with Eastwood’s management team; financial terms were not disclosed. Eastwood is an e-commerce provider of branded professional-grade automotive tools, equipment, and supplies serving the DIY automotive enthusiast market.

Milestone Partners closed an equity recapitalization of Occasion Brands in partnership with the company’s management team. Occasion Brands operates the e-commerce sites PromGirl.com and SimplyDresses.com, providing an online, technology-enabled platform for women’s formal wear and accessories.

N3, LLC acquired certain assets, customer contracts, and intellectual property of Rainmaker Systems, Inc.'s Global Commerce Services business. The transaction is intended to strengthen N3’s marketing and revenue generation capabilities for software and high-tech clients globally.

Match.com, an operating business of IAC, acquired U.S. online dating company OkCupid for $50 million in cash plus potential future performance-contingent payments. OkCupid will continue to be run by co-founder and CEO Sam Yagan from its New York office as it leverages Match.com’s reach and expertise to accelerate growth.