Stocks

Vishal Mega Mart Makes Its Mark on Indian Stock Exchanges

Published December 20, 2024

MUMBAI – Vishal Mega Mart, a well-known retail chain in India, has officially debuted on the stock market, making its shares available for public trading on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) under the symbol VMM and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with the code 544307. The initial public offering (IPO) of the company was set at a price of INR 78 per share, resulting in a total market valuation of approximately INR 370 billion.

The IPO comprised 1,026 million shares of common stock. Notably, Partners Group Private Equity Limited (LSE: PEYS/PEY), a key investor in Vishal Mega Mart, divested about 23% of its shareholding in the initial offering. This move allowed Partners Group to realize a gain of 36% compared to the company's valuation reported in the last monthly update on October 31, 2024. After the first day of trading, Partners Group's remaining stake in Vishal Mega Mart showed an appreciation of roughly 79% from the previously mentioned October valuation, translating to an investment value of around EUR 97.9 million.

Vishal Mega Mart focuses on serving middle and lower-middle-income consumers in India. The retail chain operates a network of over 640 stores nationwide, providing a diverse range of products, including apparel, general merchandise, and fast-moving consumer goods. Over the past two years, the company has shown significant growth, with its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) growing by over 55% and revenues soaring by more than 60%.

Partners Group's involvement with Vishal Mega Mart dates back to 2018. The retailer has thrived due to favorable economic conditions in India, increased urbanization, and the expansion of retail operations in Tier-2 cities. Its ongoing success can be attributed to strategies that include store expansion, growth in same-store sales, and improvements in operational efficiencies.

The listing of Vishal Mega Mart represents a major milestone for the company, offering public investors the chance to engage in its future growth journey. This IPO is also a testament to the robust nature of the Indian retail sector, which serves a wide consumer base across the country.

According to a press release from Partners Group Private Equity Limited, there is a lock-up period for pre-IPO shareholders. Specifically, 80% of the shares in Vishal Mega Mart will be restricted from sale for six months, while the remaining 20% will be subject to a longer lock-up duration of 12 months.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor.

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