Background
      
            

On 30 September 2025, Michael A. Reinstein notified the Autorité de la concurrence of his plan to acquire exclusive control of Petit Bateau. At the end of its examination, the Autorité has cleared the transaction unconditionally.
      
      

                
          
        
            The parties to the transaction



Michael A. Reinstein controls the private equity firm Regent L.P. The Regent group holds investments in companies operating in various sectors, including technology, consumer goods and media. In particular, the group controls DIM Brands International, which sells underwear in France under the DIM brand through a network of specialty and outlet stores, department store concessions and online. The Regent group controls other companies that sell underwear, notably the brands Playtex and Wonderbra.



Petit Bateau designs, manufactures and sells clothing, mainly for children. The company sells its products through a network of company-owned stores, department store concessions, outlet stores and its online store.

The transaction is not likely to harm competition



Considering that the transaction is not likely to harm competition given the limited market shares in the catchment areas concerned and the low competitive proximity between the parties’ brands, the Autorité cleared the transaction unconditionally.
      
      
      

                
          
        
          
            Decision 25-DCC-247 of 23 October 2025
      
          
            on the acquisition of exclusive control of Petit Bateau by Michael A. Reinstein (Regent group)
      
        
                  
            
            The full text of the decision (in French) will be available soon
      
          
              
      

                
          
  
    Contact(s)
          
                
          
              
          
        
              


      
      
      
  
    
      
            Nicola Crawford
      
      
            Communications Officer
      
    
    
      
            +33155040151
      
      
     Contact us by e-mail

French Authority Approves Petit Bateau Acquisition by Regent Group

The Autorité de la concurrence, France's competition authority, has cleared the acquisition of Petit Bateau by Michael A. Reinstein, who controls the Regent group. The decision was made on 23 October 2025, following a notification from Reinstein on 30 September 2025.

Michael A. Reinstein's Regent group is a private equity firm with investments across various sectors, including technology and consumer goods. Notably, it controls DIM Brands International, which markets underwear brands such as DIM, Playtex, and Wonderbra in France.

Petit Bateau specializes in designing, manufacturing, and selling children's clothing through its own stores, department store concessions, and online platforms. The Autorité de la concurrence concluded that the merger would not significantly impact competition due to the limited market shares and the low competitive overlap between the brands involved.



French Authority Approves Petit Bateau Acquisition by Regent Group

The French competition authority has unconditionally approved Michael A. Reinstein's acquisition of Petit Bateau, citing no harm to competition.