CVC Capital Partners weighs £6bn takeover of duty-free retailer Avolta
CVC Capital Partners is exploring a potential £6bn bid for Avolta, the Swiss-listed global travel retail and duty-free giant, according to a report by Sky News.
The private equity firm is said to be in the preliminary stages of evaluating a deal, which may also include the participation of the Benetton family - long-time stakeholders in Avolta through their legacy ties to Autogrill.
Avolta was created following the 2023 merger of Dufry and Autogrill, combining duty-free operations with travel catering across international markets.
While talks are ongoing, sources familiar with the matter noted that a formal offer has not been made, and there is no certainty that one will be submitted. The Benetton family’s potential involvement in the transaction remains undetermined. Alessandro Benetton, former Autogrill board member, currently serves as honorary chairman of Avolta.
Avolta operates in 75 countries with a presence at more than 1,200 airports, employing around 75,000 people. Its global retail portfolio includes partnerships with high-profile brands such as Apple, Clinique, Lego, and Tag Heuer.
The possible deal underscores the continued appetite from large-cap private equity funds for global consumer-facing assets with resilient operating footprints and international scale.