Clarendons acts in Australia’s largest home-grown e-commerce deal

A Melbourne-based corporate law specialist firm advised in Australia’s largest home-grown e-commerce transaction.

Clarendon Lawyers acted for longstanding client Lux Group on its deal with Catch Group that has resulted in the creation of a separate, pure-play travel, shopping, and local e-commerce businesses. The transaction was settled for an undisclosed sum.

Lux Group acquired Catch Group’s luxury travel businesses BonVoyage and Scoopon Travel. Lux Group sold its designer-brand products businesses, including Brands Exclusive and TheHome, to Catch Group.

Both groups have also entered into a joint venture via the merge of both their local experience businesses, which include brands like Cudo, LivingSocial, DEALS.com.au, and New Zealand-based TreatMe.

The complex transaction transforms businesses, allowing Lux Group to establish a focused and scaled travel e-commerce business with more than $300m in annual turnover. The business will offer its products across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, led by the flagship brand Luxury Escapes.

Directors Nick Manuell and Rob Feiner led the Clarendons team. They were assisted by senior associate Adam Laidlaw, lawyer Zhong Wu, and graduates Stephen Dyason and Rachel Morris.

Clarendons has been working with Lux Group since its purchase of Cudo in 2013. The firm has advised the group on all of its other M&A transactions since. Manuell said that the new business is “more than capable of matching it with the global giants.”

Intrinsic partners and SBA Law acted for Catch Group. Macquarie Bank was Lux Group’s corporate adviser.


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