Green Arrow enters Piazza Italia with a stake close to 15 per cent

Green Arrow Capital enters Piazza Italia, the fast-fashion chain owned by Campania entrepreneur Luigi Bernardo, who had so far controlled it exclusively through the company Gbh.

The entry of the Italian private equity leader (8 billion euros in capital raised and 32 active funds) leads to joint control of the banner, reports an Agcm notice dated Wednesday 4 November.

Piazza Italia, capital increase and joint control with Green Arrow

The transaction will be carried out through the subscription, by a newly incorporated company controlled by Gac (an asset management company branded Greeen Arrow), of a reserved capital increase in Piazza Italia, following which the newco will hold a minority stake representing 14,63% of the share capital of the chain, while Gbh, that is, Luigi Bernardo, will retain 85,37% of the shares.

The transaction involves signing a shareholders' agreement providing, among other things, that the company's new governance will grant Gac veto rights over strategic decisions, thereby giving the two parties (Gac and Gbh) a decisive influence and therefore, precisely, joint management.

Piazza Italia is not just Italy

Piazza Italia Spa, which today has, in Italy and abroad, around 340 points of sale, in 2025 generated revenue of more than 333 million euros, with net profit of almost 55 million.

Abroad, it operates around forty shops: in Albania, Cyprus, Jordan, Greece, Armenia, Malta, Lebanon, Palestine and Serbia.

In addition to its flagship banner, the Nola-based group also operates the Intelligent Store brand, largely managed directly, alongside a proprietary e-commerce channel.

In the same sector, the retailer is also active under the Conbipel, banner, owned by Arcadia Fashion, a company subject to the joint control of Piazza Italia that manages its stake through the Gennaio company. According to Italia Oggi, Luigi Bernardo's company already firmly holds the helm of the Cocconato D'Asti business, from which Invitalia will exit, with the aim of expanding its network by a further 100 points of sale.

A robust industrial plan

A year ago, Piazza Italia, with the support of a pool of banks led by Unicredit, formulated the new industrial plan 2025-2030, which provides for approximately 200 new openings, half direct-operated and half franchised, in Italy and abroad: Balkan countries, Greece, the Middle East, South America and North Africa.

On this same occasion, Luigi Bernando's rise to 100% in the fast-fashion chain and the simultaneous exit of his brother Antonio Bernardo were announced; Antonio later, through his Pamaf, first acquired Kasanova and, more recently, Original Marines.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.