Image: from Le Parisien | économie X @leparisien_eco
PARIS — The Board of Directors of Fnac Darty has officially given the “green light” to a takeover proposal from Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský. The deal, structured as a Public Takeover Bid (OPA), marks a significant shift in the European retail landscape, potentially placing the owner of the continent’s most iconic cultural and electronics chains under majority Czech control.
Křetínský, the second richest man in Czechia and a prominent figure in European sports and industry, currently holds a 28.5% stake in the group through his EP Group. His latest move seeks to push that ownership beyond the 50% threshold, granting him full voting control over a retail empire that includes FNAC and MediaMarkt across Portugal, Spain, and the wider European market.
The Mechanics of the Deal
The offer is set at €36 per share, valuing the entirety of Fnac Darty at approximately €1.1 billion. The board’s unanimous favorable opinion paves the way for a transition period expected to conclude in the second half of 2026.
Key figures of the Fnac Darty footprint include:
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Global Reach: Presence in 14 countries with 1,500 stores.
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Workforce: Approximately 30,000 employees worldwide.
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Portugal Impact: Around 50 stores and a workforce exceeding 2,000 staff members.
Who is Daniel Křetínský?
60 millions d’euros en quatre ans : l’homme d’affaires Daniel Kretinsky vole à nouveau au secours de Libérationhttps://t.co/05iEBck6OY
— Un baron fou (@EuropaMagnifica) March 6, 2026
Known in sporting circles as the owner of Sparta Prague and a minority shareholder in the English Premier League’s West Ham United, Křetínský’s influence extends far beyond the pitch. As of January 2026, his net worth is estimated at $10.1 billion (€8.52 billion).
His portfolio is a testament to a diversified investment strategy, with significant holdings in:
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Logistics & Industry: Royal Mail and ThyssenKrupp.
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Retail: French supermarket giant Casino and Makro.
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Media: A stake in the prestigious French newspaper Le Monde.
A Strategic Consolidation
Industry analysts suggest that Křetínský’s move to become the majority shareholder is an effort to stabilize and modernize the group’s brick-and-mortar presence in an increasingly digital world. For Portugal, where FNAC and MediaMarkt are household names, the change in leadership could signal new investments in technology and logistics.
The offer now sits with individual shareholders, who must decide by the end of the semester whether to maintain their stakes or exit at the €36-per-share valuation.