WHSmith investors have backed a $400 million takeover bid for Marshall Retail Group (MRG).
In October, the retailer revealed plans to acquire the US firm as a “compelling opportunity to accelerate the growth of WHSmith’s international travel business in the $3.2 billion US airport travel retail market”.
At that time, MRG had 170 stores in North America – 59 of them in airports.
Earlier this year, WHSmith acquired US travel retailer InMotion, in order to bring “strong and highly visible near-term growth prospects”, part of a wider strategy to expand its presence internationally, particularly its travel division.
WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling said: ”This acquisition will accelerate the growth of our international travel business and combined with InMotion, the market leading digital accessories airport retailer that we acquired last year, will significantly enhance our scale and growth opportunities in the US, a large and fast growing travel retail market.
“This is an exciting value creating opportunity, entirely in line with our strategy.”
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