Investcorp, the Middle East-based alternative asset manager, has fully exited its stake in value fashion retailer Citykart, selling its entire holding to TPG NewQuest and A91 Partners in a landmark transaction. The deal marks a pivotal moment for Citykart, which has simultaneously raised fresh capital to fuel its ambitious expansion plans across India’s tier-II and tier-III cities.
Key Highlights:
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Complete Exit for Investcorp: Investcorp has sold its entire stake in Citykart, clocking an impressive fourfold return on its 2019 investment.
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New Institutional Leadership: TPG NewQuest emerges as Citykart’s largest institutional investor post-deal, followed by A91 Partners and India SME Investments.
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Major Funding Round: Citykart raised a total of Rs 538 crore in this round, with Rs 120 crore in fresh capital earmarked for expansion and Rs 418 crore coming from secondary share sales.
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Expansion Plans: The fresh capital will drive Citykart’s aggressive expansion beyond its core markets of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with plans to open 40–50 new stores annually in states like Rajasthan, Odisha, Assam, and Jharkhand.
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Robust Growth: Citykart’s revenues have surged by nearly 70% over the last two years, reaching over Rs 900 crore in FY25. The company expects to cross Rs 1,300 crore in revenue in FY26 and has maintained consistent profitability for five years.
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Market Position: Citykart now operates 137 stores and competes with major players like VMart and Vishal Mega Mart, underlining growing investor appetite for affordable fashion in non-metro markets.
IPO Outlook: While an IPO is on the cards, Citykart’s leadership is prioritizing further revenue growth and profitability before considering a public listing.
Source: The Economic Times