Fnac Darty targets growth in Italy through mergers and acquisitions, CEO tells Corriere.

Fnac Darty targets growth in Italy through mergers and acquisitions, CEO tells Corriere.

Fnac Darty, a leading European retailer, has outlined its strategic plan to expand its footprint in Italy through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities. The company's CEO, Enrique Martinez, revealed these plans during an interview with Corriere. The expansion aims to leverage Fnac Darty's expertise in high-value-added products and subscription-based services to consolidate its position in the Italian market.

According to Martinez, the company plans to invest significantly in the Italian market, aiming to become a benchmark player in the region. The strategy involves acquiring local retailers and integrating their operations into Fnac Darty's omnichannel model. This move is part of the company's broader "Beyond Everyday" strategic plan, which aims to accelerate the rollout of its pioneering model across Europe.

Fnac Darty's focus on Italy is driven by its strong performance in the region. The company has already made significant strides in expanding its operations and increasing its market share. By 2030, Fnac Darty aims to have nearly 4 million subscribers across all services, including in Italy. The company's goal is to provide a seamless and personalized customer experience that sets new standards in the market.

The expansion into Italy is also aligned with Fnac Darty's commitment to sustainability. The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. By integrating local operations and leveraging its expertise, Fnac Darty can help Italian retailers adopt more sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact.

Fnac Darty's M&A activities in Italy are part of its broader strategy to become a central player in the cultural ecosystem. The company aims to offer high-value-added services to publishers, artists, and other players in the sector. By holding events on behalf of third parties and supporting bookstore digitalization, Fnac Darty can create new revenue streams and strengthen its position in the market.

The company's ambitious growth plans are supported by its strong financial performance. Fnac Darty expects to achieve an operating margin of at least 3% by 2030 and generate cumulative operational free cash-flow of at least €1.2 billion over the period. The company's capital allocation strategy prioritizes financing profitable organic growth and paying a dividend with a payout ratio of at least 40% and a minimum dividend of €1 per share per year.

Fnac Darty's expansion into Italy is a significant step in its quest to become a leading retailer in Europe. By leveraging its expertise in high-value-added products and subscription-based services, the company aims to consolidate its position in the Italian market and set new standards for customer experience.

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025-06-11:newsml_GNEmVHv3:0-reg-fnac-darty-unveils-beyond-everyday-its-2030-strategic-plan-to-accelerate-the-rollout-of-its-pioneering-model-on-the-european-market/