Frasers Group Secures Significant Stake in Malta’s Hudson Holdings
Frasers Group, the British powerhouse behind retail giants like Sports Direct and House of Fraser, has officially acquired a 41.98% shareholding in the Maltese company Hudson Holdings Limited.
Hudson Holdings, a leading retail player in Malta, is best recognised for its popular Urban Jungle sportswear chain, alongside other brands such as Urban Bratz and Hudson Store. The company also represents a variety of global powerhouses, including NIKE, Converse, Timberland, and New Era, as well as fashion names like Armani Exchange, Mango, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Kiabi.
With a footprint that stretches beyond Malta, Hudson Holdings is a key distributor in European and North African markets, holding exclusive rights to NIKE distribution in over 29 countries.
This acquisition stems from an agreement reached between Frasers Group and Hudson Holdings in October 2024. The deal leaves room for additional phased investments, which could see Frasers Group increasing its stake to eventually gain majority control of the Maltese company.
The acquisition also comes with a shake-up at the Hudson Holdings board level. The company announced the resignation of directors George Amato and Kevin Valenzia, making way for the appointment of Stephen Paris. Described as a seasoned professional, Paris brings over 30 years of experience from Deloitte Malta, where he served in leadership roles, including Head of Audit and Financial Services Industry Leader, before retiring in 2019.
Hudson Holdings emphasised its commitment to maintaining transparency with stakeholders, ensuring that all material updates are communicated promptly and in compliance with regulations.
This partnership not only underscores Frasers Group’s intent to broaden its international reach but also reinforces Hudson Holdings’ status as a prominent force in the retail and distribution sectors across multiple regions.