PARIS – Groupe Rocher said investment firm Regent is the preferred prospective acquirer of Petit Bateau, the children’s fashion brand.

Groupe Rocher presented the acquisition plan on Thursday to employee representatives at the clothier.

“This proposed divestment is based on the ambition to infuse Petit Bateau with a renewed growth dynamic, leveraging the resources and expertise of Regent, a specialist in revitalizing heritage houses such as DIM (France), Bally (Switzerland) and La Senza (Canada),” wrote Groupe Rocher in a statement.

Regent, which was founded in 2013, is a long-term investor with companies in Europe, North America and Asia in its portfolio. Those span consumer, industrial, technology and media holdings.

“Petit Bateau is a French institution with deep roots in Troyes, [France], renowned craftsmanship and a cherished place in families’ lives around the world,” said Michael Reinstein, chairman of Regent, in the statement. 

“For more than 130 years, its workshops have clothed generations with enduring quality and care,” he continued. “If we have the privilege of becoming its next steward, we will honor this heritage by safeguarding what makes Petit Bateau irreplaceable: its craft traditions, its French spirit and the trust families place in every garment, so that its legacy continues for generations to come.”

“Selecting Regent reflects our commitments to securing the best possible conditions for Petit Bateau’s long-term development,” continued Jean-David Schwartz, chief executive officer of Groupe Rocher. “We are confident that Regent will provide the brand with the momentum it needs to achieve its ambitions, while preserving the roots and identity that are its greatest strengths. 

“Throughout this process, we will remain close to the teams to ensure a transition built on dialogue,” he said.

Petit Bateau returned to growth in 2024, and its business-to-consumer sales advanced 2.7 percent in the first half of this year. E-commerce activity continued to increase, especially in France, up 5.6 percent, and Japan, with an 8.3 percent rise.

Petit Bateau, known for its products such as cotton briefs, bodysuits, marinière, raincoats and peacoats in vivid colors, has a vertical operation, which entails being involved in design, knitting, dyeing, manufacturing, screen printing and embroidery.

The brand has 2,400 employees, of which 1,400 are in France — with 600 in retail. Petit Bateau counts three sites: a manufacturing plant and logistics hub in Troyes, and a production site in Morocco.

Regent’s portfolio also includes Escada, Playtex, Lydech, Foundry and TechCrunch. The company is based in Beverly Hills.

Groupe Rocher’s core business is beauty, with brands such as Yves Rocher, Arbonne, Dr. Pierre Ricaud and Sabon.