Alantra advised Intelligent Returns Limited on its capital rasing from BGF Business Growth Fund
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ServiceM&A
Alantra has advised the shareholders of ReBOUND Returns (“ReBOUND”) on their investment from BGF, which will support international expansion and IP development. Headquartered in Telford, ReBOUND assists retailers with management of their UK and international returns service, improving efficiency, traceability and customer experience. It now has over 500 customers and manages 35 million returns a year for clients including ASOS, Gymshark and Charles Tyrwhitt.
ReBOUND will use the investment to continue to grow their customer base both in the UK and internationally and to develop their data analytics platform, enabling retailers to identify trends in customer behaviour. Having focused initially on the clothing retail market, the Company is now also targeting expansion into new verticals including homeware, technology and furniture and has announced the opening of a Hong Kong office, providing a crucial foothold in a region increasingly of interest to Western brands.
Richard Sanders, a Partner at Alantra who led the deal, said: “We are delighted to have advised ReBOUND on their investment funding from BGF. Retailers typically experience a growth in sales post integrating ReBOUND’s solution due to customers valuing a simple returns solution, and it is clear that the market opportunity is huge. The investment will help accelerate their growth, both in the UK and overseas, and drive technology innovation.I have no doubt that ReBOUND will continue to be a disrupting rising star in its market.”
Paul Vanstone, a Director at Alantra who was also involved in the deal, said: “The $2.8trn global online retail market continues to grow rapidly and consumers are increasingly expecting a seamless transaction from point of order to return of goods. Demand for an efficient returns services has created something of a ticking time bomb for retailers, adding exponential layers of logistics and customer service complexity. ReBOUND’s technology platform, logistics know how and global network of carriers provides a unique managed solution to retailers that changes the returns problem into a competitive advantage in an increasingly challenging retail market.” Graham Best, CEO of ReBOUND Returns, said: “We’re proud to bring on board BGF as a minority partner. There is a vast opportunity for the Company and access to BGF’s funding and network will help us to accelerate our growth, build scale and further enhance our platform.
