Rossel enters into negotiations to acquire ~80% of Groupe Sud Ouest

Groupe Rossel and the Lemoîne family have entered into exclusive negotiations for the sale of approximately 80% of the share capital of Groupe Sud Ouest (GSO) to Rossel France SA. The proposed transaction covers the sale of the family holding company Socibog, which holds approximately 73% of GSO's share capital, as well as a direct stake of approximately 7% held by the Lemoîne family.

If the transaction is completed, it will give rise to a major regional media group with combined revenue of more than 400 million euros. The new entity would reach 3.4 million print readers every day and record nearly 230 million digital visits per month. Its operations would cover the South-West, Hauts-de-France, Normandy and North-East France.

The portfolio would notably include regional daily newspapers such as Sud Ouest, Charente Libre, La République des Pyrénées, La Voix du Nord, Le Courrier Picard, L'Union and Paris-Normandie, as well as 20 Minutes. It would also include thematic media, audiovisual operations such as TV7 and TVPi, radio stations such as Contact FM and Champagne FM, as well as various activities in events and marketing.

According to both parties, this combination is intended to create a critical mass in order to continue investment in technology, digital development and new services, while preserving the regional and editorial identity of the titles. The transaction remains subject to consultation with the relevant employee representative bodies as well as the usual regulatory conditions. Its finalisation is expected by the end of 2026.