Buyout specialist CVC Capital Partners (CVC.AS) is in the early stages of exploring a 6 billion pound ($8.03 billion) takeover of Swiss duty-free retailer Avolta (AVOL.S), Sky News reported on Tuesday.
Avolta shares rose by 10% after the report. CVC Capital Partners and Avolta declined to comment in response to a Reuters request.
The travel retailer, which runs shops at airports, on cruise liners, in seaports and other tourist locations, has a market capitalization of 5.85 billion Swiss francs ($7.10 billion), according to LSEG data.
Avolta is the renamed group which emerged from the combination of travel retailer Dufry and Italy's Autogrill in 2023. Benetton holding company Edizione is the largest shareholder with a 22% stake.
A deal could be made in conjunction with the Benetton family, the report said, adding it was unclear if members of the Benetton family would participate in a deal.
Edizione also declined to comment.
($1 = 0.7473 pounds)
($1 = 0.8239 Swiss francs)
