Conviviality poised to buy Matthew Clark

Conviviality Retail has confirmed that it is in talks to buy Matthew Clark, one of the UK’s largest on-trade drink suppliers.

In response to media speculation the UK off-licence group, which owns Bargain Booze, released a statement to investors this morning confirming that it is “participating in a managed sale process in respect of Matthew Clark (Holdings) Limited”.
Conviviality Retail Plc is one of the UK’s largest off-licence chains with 575 franchisee-operated stores in the UK, which includes Bargain Booze, Bargain Booze Select Convenience and Thorougoods.

Earlier this year Conviviality expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of 37 new stores, largely in the East Midlands and Yorkshire, from GT News in a deal worth £6 million. It followed the group’s acquisition of Rhythm and Booze in May 2014, which saw the chain acquire 26 sites in a deal worth £1.7 million.

In January Matthew Clark reported a record-breaking Christmas trading period with December sales breaking £100 million – the company’s biggest ever month. Much of this business came through the company’s online ordering system, where sales rose by 45% on the same period last year.

Conviviality is due to publish its preliminary results on Monday, 13 July.

Shares in Conviviality have been suspended until a decision is reached.