Editis Owner EP Group Becomes Controlling Shareholder of Fnac Darty

Daniel Křetínský's investment group, EP Group, now holds 69.3% of the capital and voting rights in Fnac Darty, the French retail chain. Publishing Perspectives reported the change on 12 November 2026. Capital means the total value of a company's shares. Voting rights decide who steers its decisions, and at 69.3% EP Group now controls the company.

The stake was built in steps. EP Group already held 28.5% of Fnac Darty before its takeover offer succeeded. That offer, first delivered in January 2026, was valued at more than €1 billion ($1.19 billion). A takeover offer is a public bid to buy shares directly from shareholders, usually at a set price.

Fnac Darty's Board of Directors unanimously recommended the offer. Enrique Martinez, the company's chief executive, said he welcomed the successful outcome and looked forward to the next chapter with the new controlling shareholder.

Křetínský said EP Group believes in Fnac Darty's long-term potential. He added that the group is committed to supporting its continued development.

The name Křetínský will be familiar to anyone who follows the book trade in France. He also owns Editis, a French book publisher that puts out fiction, non-fiction and educational titles. Fnac has long sold books alongside music, films and electronics, so the two businesses now share the same majority owner.

Publishing and retail sit at opposite ends of the book trade. A publisher pays authors, commissions editors and decides which titles are printed. A bookseller buys those titles from wholesalers or publishers and sells them to readers, often at a discount. Under one owner, the two halves of that chain now have a common boss. How that plays out in practice is still to be seen.