Gamm vert and Delbard want to merge with Jardiland

A massive concentration in the garden centre market is becoming apparent in France. The agricultural cooperative Invivo, which features the two garden retail distribution channels Gamm vert and Delbard, has announced that it is in exclusive negotiations with the Jardiland garden centre group. All three distribution lines are expected to be retained. The merger should support expansion abroad in particular, as well as conferring advantages in the IT field.
Gamm vert is the number one retailer in the French garden market with 1 004 stores and annual sales of 1.333 bn euros.  The Delbard & Affiliés franchise has 183 affiliated garden centres, including 46 operating under the Delbard logo.
The two Invivo distribution systems together are twice as big as previous rival Jardiland, which currently has 189 stores, 100 of which are under the company's own management. Jardiland's latest annual sales were around 730 mio euros, half of which stems from its garden business. The pet segment and decorative articles each account for a quarter of its annual sales. Since 2014 Jardiland has belonged to the investment company L-Gam, which specialises in medium-sized European businesses and is partnered by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein.