Media
The Very Group announces new ownership and strengthened capital base to support future growth
November 10, 2025
The Very Group (“the Company”), which operates digital retailers Very and Littlewoods, today announces the completion of a transaction under which global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) becomes the Company’s owner, and international media group IMI continues as a key stakeholder.
This transaction is a positive outcome for The Very Group, providing it with a strengthened capital base and enhanced financial flexibility to support investment in its long-term growth plans. The transaction underscores Carlyle and IMI’s confidence in The Very Group, its management team, leading brand position, strategy and long-term growth potential, having supported the business since 2021.
Carlyle, in collaboration with IMI, will support the Company’s management team to continue to deliver against its strategic priorities, including driving innovation and leveraging technology and data to improve its customer offering.
The transaction also marks the conclusion of the Barclay family’s involvement in the business, having supported the business over the last 20 years. Over this period and thanks to their leadership, The Very Group has grown significantly - evolving from a traditional catalogue business into one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic online retailers. The Barclay family pass on a business that is performing very strongly. In October, the Company announced its Full Year Results which delivered record earnings growth, driven by strong performance from both its retail and financial services businesses.
Robbie Feather, Group CEO, The Very Group, said: “This marks an important milestone for The Very Group as we move into an exciting new phase of growth. We are delighted to continue to partner with Carlyle and IMI. Their continued backing provides us with a stronger foundation to execute on our strategy, increase investment in technology and the customer experience, and to build on the momentum across the business. I’d like to thank the Barclay family for their stewardship and contribution to the Company over the past two decades.”
Contact information
Media relations
Philip Walters +44 7773 331589
Investor relations
Notes to editors
About The Very Group
With annual revenue of over £2bn, The Very Group is a unique digital business that combines online retail and flexible payments. Our digital retail brands, Very and Littlewoods, help to bring 2,000 desirable labels within easy reach of more customers.
Across electrical, home, fashion and more, we sell everything our 4.2 million customers could need, except food. And our flexible payment options, which are provided responsibly via our Very Pay platform and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, help our customers manage their household budgets.
At its most recent full-year results (24 October 2025), The Very Group achieved significant earnings growth, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 15.9% to £307.1m, reflecting a margin of 14.7% which is the highest earnings margin the Group has ever achieved. Operating costs were at the lowest in the Group’s history, and the Group achieved its best-ever net promoter score, demonstrating increased customer satisfaction.
We have over a hundred years of history behind us, but at our heart there is a passion for change – to constantly improve what we do, to innovate with data and technology at our core and to be the best possible place to work.
For more information, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $474 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,400 people in 27 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.
About IMI
IMI is a privately owned, leading global media group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with operations across 15 countries. It oversees an extensive portfolio of prestigious media brands, including The National, Sky News Arabia, Al-Ain News, CNN Business Arabic, and Euronews.
IMI’s joint venture with Redbird Capital Partners, RedBird IMI, focuses on premier investments in media, entertainment, and sport, including All3Media, Media Res Studio, EverWonder Studio, Hidden Pigeon Company, Front Office Sports, and UFL. IMI also holds a stake in MARI, a global events and experiences company founded by Ariel Emanuel.
