Vendis Capital supports the growth of Kamera Express

Vendis Capital supports the growth of Kamera Express

Utrecht (NL), 23 February 2018 – Vendis Capital, the private equity fund specialized in the consumer sector, invests in Kamera Express, a leading omnichannel retailer in the market for photo and video equipment in the Netherland and Belgium.

Kamera Express, headquartered in Capelle aan de IJssel (the Netherlands), is the market leading retailer in photo and video equipment in the Benelux. The Company operates 16 superstores, of which 15 in the Netherlands and 1 in Belgium, together with a successful webshop. Kamera Express was founded in 1995 by Peter Merceij, who quickly saw the potential of large superstores in combination with a strong online sales and information channel (webshop). Continuous growth is driven by opening as well as acquiring additional new stores. Today Kamera Express offers the consumer a winning combination of information, assortment, service and competitive pricing.

Vendis Capital teams up with the existing management team of Kamera Express, consisting of Ben Cornelisse (CEO), Jeroen Klein (Marketing) and Joop Peekstok (Finance & IT), who all have significant experience in the photo retail market as well as in operating and rapidly growing the Kamera Express business.

Ben Cornelisse, CEO of Kamera Express, is proud of the successes he and his team have booked in developing Kamera Express into the market leader in its field in the Benelux. He believes that Vendis Capital is the right partner for Kamera Express to continue this success: “The qualities of Vendis Capital, amongst others their familiarity with the retail industry and experience with expanding leading retail formulas internationally, will add to Kamera Express’s further development”.

Vincent Braams, Partner at Vendis Capital: “Kamera Express fits Vendis’ investment criteria very well; it presents a leading retailer with a strong and winning formula that is well positioned for further growth. We are excited about partnering with Kamera Express and are confident to grasp the available growth potential together.”

The participation in Kamera Express represents the seventh investment within Vendis Capital II, the €180 million fund that was launched in 2015.