Liberty Tax, the parent company of Liberty Tax Service and Buddy’s Home Furnishings, has acquired The Vitamin Shoppe in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $208 million.
WHO: The Vitamin Shoppe is an omnichannel, specialty retailer of nutritional products based in Secaucus, New Jersey. In its stores and on its website, The Vitamin Shoppe carries a comprehensive retail assortment including: vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and beauty aids. In addition to offering products from approximately 700 national brands, The Vitamin Shoppe also carries products under The Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, Body Tech Elite, True Athlete, plnt, ProBioCare, and Next Step brands. The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 750 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements retail banners, and through its website.
Liberty Tax, Inc. (OTC PINK: TAXA) is the indirect parent company of Liberty Tax Service and Buddy’s Home Furnishings. In the US and Canada, last year, Liberty Tax prepared approximately two million individual income tax returns in more than 3,100 offices and online. Liberty Tax also owns Buddy’s Home Furnishings, a specialty retailer engaged in the business of leasing and selling consumer electronics, residential furniture, appliances, and household accessories. Liberty Tax is focused on the evaluation and acquisition of franchise-oriented or complementary businesses. Liberty Tax also supports local communities with fundraising endeavors and contributes as a national sponsor to many charitable causes.
WHY: The Vitamin Shoppe transaction represents the continued evolution of the business model of Liberty Tax, and follows the recent acquisition of Buddy’s Home Furnishings, which was completed in July 2019. In recognition of this new strategic focus, Liberty Tax previously announced its intention to change its name to Franchise Group, Inc.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Pat Cozza, an independent member of the Board of Directors of Liberty Tax, stated, “We have great confidence in the value of The Vitamin Shoppe, its ongoing strategic reinvention plan and the outstanding efforts of The Vitamin Shoppe leadership team and associates. We believe that The Vitamin Shoppe is an excellent fit for Liberty Tax’s previously announced strategy to acquire franchise-centric businesses, and demonstrates the commitment of Liberty Tax, its board and management team to implement the previously announced strategic transformation of Liberty Tax.”
Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, stated, “Following a careful and disciplined assessment, the board of directors has concluded that the acquisition proposal from Liberty Tax maximizes value for our shareholders. The transaction also delivers long-term benefits to our associates, customers and business partners. It provides an immediate premium to our current shareholders and aligns The Vitamin Shoppe with a partner that shares our strategic vision to unlock the further potential of The Vitamin Shoppe as a leader in health and wellness. We are committed to transforming into an agile, customer-first organization that differentiates our brand through best-in-class quality, innovation and expertise across our products and services.”
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