Qivive successfully assists Snipes in acquiring 15 locations in France
Qivive has successfully supported the Cologne-based streetwear retailer Snipes in the acquisition of 15 stores, including approximately 160 employees, from the French sneaker chain Courir. As part of the transaction, Snipes has acquired a further six stores in Portugal from Courir.
The acquired Courir stores are located in the following cities: Nice, Dijon, Rouen, Antibes, Cannes, Arras, Auxerre, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Mont-Saint-Aignan, Barentin, Quetigny, Noyelles-Godault and Tourville-la-Rivière in France, as well as Lisbon, Faro, Amadora, Coimbra, Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto in Portugal.
’With the integration of the new stores, we are continuing our global growth strategy,’ said Snipes CEO Dennis Schröder.’ France is one of the most important markets in Europe for us. With the acquisition of the Courir stores there and in Portugal, we are expanding our presence and strengthening our connection to local communities.’
The retailer, which belongs to the Deichmann Group, operates 800 stores worldwide, more than half of which are in Europe. In France, Snipes has 51 stores and is currently expanding rapidly. Snipes recently became the ‘Official Culture & Community Partner’ of the Parisian first division team PSG, whose players will wear the Snipes logo on their jerseys in the stadiums of the French first division.
Courir is one of the leaders in the French sneaker market, with over 250 stores and a turnover of over €800 million. The company was founded in 1980 as Go Sport and was sold to various investors over the years until it was taken over by the British retail company JD Sports in 2024.
Qivive's M&A team, led by Dr Christophe Kühl (corporate), advised Snipes in the following areas: labour law – due diligence, employee integration, negotiation of new works agreements (Emilie Vienne and Julie Spinola), commercial leases (Thomas Decara), registration and publication (Malaika Diefenbach).
Other parties involved:
- Snipes in-house: Christoph Maximilian Henatsch and Thomas Bredlow.
- Osborne Clarke (Dr Sebastian Hack and Susanne Schricker) advised Snipes on competition law.
- Portugal: Nuno Moura Roldao (Ferreira Pinto Cardigos)
- The seller side (Courir and JD Sports) was represented by the law firms Bredin Brat (Cyril Courbon) and Freshfields (including Guy Benda, Octavian David, Radu Valeanu, Brieuc Trambouze).
