Samarkand Group PLC (AQSE:SMK) has agreed to acquire a plant-based health and beauty retailer for up to £2.3mln.
Napiers the Herbalists has been a fixture in Edinburgh since 1860 and owns a store on the city’s Bristo Place as well as running a popular website selling remedies, food supplements, skincare and wellness products.
It has a partnership with a large Korean skincare brand that has increased its products’ appeal in Asia and has worked with Samarkand as its distributor.
Chief executive David Hampstead said: "We've worked with Napiers and their team for a number of years and have always been impressed by the consumer response to the company's story and values.
“Napiers is a one of a kind truly authentic brand with significant potential.
“The acquisition signifies a clear execution of the group's strategy laid out at the time of listing.”
Napiers generated revenues of £1mln in the last full year and underlying earnings (EBITDA) of £240,000.
Samarkand is paying £1.7mln upfront, a deferred sum of £100,000 and a further £0.7mln “payable on certain events occurring post-acquisition”.