February 2021
A JOHNSONS CORPORATE DIVESTMENT
Johnsons is pleased to announce the successful sale of a private, mid-sized Australian business to a strategic trade buyer. After facilitating a comprehensive, end-to-end sales and negotiations process, our client – Yellow Octopus – has been acquired by Marlin Brands for an undisclosed amount. Based in Melbourne, Yellow Octopus is one of Australia’s leading brands in the online giftware space, offering a variety of products to suit any occasion. Also VIC-based, Marlin Brands owns and manages a portfolio of consumer product businesses with a focus on the living, gifting and convenience segments.
The team at Johnsons were pleased to act as lead advisors to Yellow Octopus’ director and would like to extend our congratulations to both the vendor and the purchaser.
In 2019 after growing the Business over a short period of time into an award-winning brand, Yellow Octopus’ director engaged Johnsons Corporate to conduct a national sales campaign. The objective was to find a strategic acquirer with the capital and resources to help take the Business to the next level. Having secured Offer & Acceptance in a timely manner, Johnsons then worked diligently over many months to bring the deal to completion in the face of significant Covid-19 induced challenges.
Commenting on the sales process, Yellow Octopus owner Derek Sheen explained: “Navigating the sale of Yellow Octopus to an overseas-backed private equity firm several-hundred times larger than my business was challenging, but ultimately very fruitful. However, I simply would not have been able to successfully traverse the sale process without the expertise and guidance from Johnsons Corporate.”