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Polish Retailer’s $1.7 Billion IPO Quickly Finds Demand

AInvestTuesday, Oct 1, 2024 12:11 pm ET
1min read
Zabka Group SA, Europe’s largest chain of convenience stores, has sparked significant investor interest with its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The private equity-backed retailer is set to raise as much as 6.45 billion zloty ($1.67 billion) by offering 300 million shares, representing a 30% stake in the company. The price range is set at 20 zloty to 21.5 zloty per share, giving Zabka an implied market value of up to 21.5 billion zloty.


Zabka's expansion strategy and growth prospects have contributed to the high demand for its IPO. The retailer has expanded its reach to over 10,000 stores, including its recent entry into Romania, demonstrating its ambition for growth. Zabka targets like-for-like sales growth of 7.5% to 9% in 2024 and plans to double revenues by 2028, further enticing investors.

Zabka's market position and competitive advantages have also fueled investor interest. As the largest chain of convenience stores in Europe, Zabka enjoys a strong brand and extensive network, enabling it to outpace its competitors in terms of sales growth. In the first half of 2024, Zabka's sales grew by 10.3%, surpassing those of its supermarket peers, Dino Polska SA and Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA's Biedronka.


Geopolitical factors, such as the war in Ukraine, have had a limited impact on investor sentiment towards Zabka's IPO. While the conflict has led to a sentiment-zapping energy crisis in Europe, Zabka's strong financial performance and growth prospects have outweighed these concerns. Investors have shown confidence in the retailer's ability to navigate challenging market conditions and continue its expansion.

The involvement of prominent investment banks, such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, has further boosted demand for Zabka's IPO. These banks, along with a team of other financial institutions, have played a crucial role in the transaction, adding credibility and attracting more investors. Additionally, the potential inclusion of Zabka in equity benchmarks has made the IPO an attractive opportunity for many funds.

In conclusion, Zabka Group SA's upcoming IPO has quickly found demand among investors, thanks to its expansion strategy, market position, and competitive advantages. Despite geopolitical challenges, the retailer's strong financial performance and growth prospects have enticed investors, further bolstered by the involvement of prominent investment banks. As Zabka prepares to list on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, it is poised to become one of the largest IPOs in Poland in recent years.
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