EANS-News: Valora Holding AG / Valora Retail successfully completes acquisition of tabacon Franchise GmbH & Co. KG

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Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
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Joint Ventures/Cooperation/Collaboration/Valora Holding AG

Muttenz (euro adhoc) - Valora Retail successfully completes
acquisition of tabacon Franchise GmbH & Co. KG - Bundeskartellamts
approval granted - Valora´s expanded network of some 380 units makes
it one of Germany´s leading small-outlet retailers - Transaction
raises the firm´s non-travel retail market profile

Valora Retail Germany successfully completed its acquisition of
tabacon Franchise GmbH & Co. KG on October 1, 2010, having recently
obtained approval from the Bundeskartellamt, Germany´s independent
competition authority, as expected. The integration of tabacon´s
existing chain of more than 180 sales points will increase the size
of Valora Retail Germany´s overall outlet network to some 380 units,
located at railway stations, airports, shopping centres and
department stores, thus securing the firm a place among the country´s
leading small-outlet retailers.

The acquisition of tabacon Franchise GmbH & Co. KG is a decisive step
for Valora´s Retail division. Integrating tabacon´s existing staff
into its operations will also enable Valora to take on an
established, efficient franchise model, offering major opportunities
as a platform from which to expand its non-travel retail operations.
As a result of this purchase, Valora´s Retail Germany´s division now
operates 201 specialist press outlets in non-travel-related
locations, and the new tabacon network extends across all of Germany.
The 178 travel retail outlets Valora currently operates at railway
stations and airports already make it Germany´s leading railway
station bookseller.

The acquisition, which exemplifies Valora´s strategic direction, has
been entirely financed by cash generated from the Group´s regular
operations. As Thomas Vollmoeller, CEO of the Valora Group puts it,
"This transaction not only enables us to double the size of our
outlet network in Germany, but will also significantly extend our
areas of expertise and create further potential for growth in our
core businesses."

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tabacon Franchise GmbH & Co. KG
Tabacon Franchise GmbH & Co. KG has been one of the main tobacco retailers in
Germany for many years, pioneering the franchise concept in this market segment.
Its former owner, Tabacon Holding, one of Germany´s largest tobacco products
wholesalers, will now increasingly focus on its wholesaling activities.
***

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Valora Holding AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investor Relations: Tel: +41 58 789 12 20

Mladen Tomic E-mail: mladen.tomic@valora.com

Media Relations: Tel: +41 58 789 12 01

Stefania Misteli E-mail: stefania.misteli@valora.com

Branche: Retail
ISIN: CH0002088976
WKN: 208897
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