Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii has advised Romanian entrepreneurs Gianina and Iulian Nica – owners of the retail chain operating under the “La Cocos” brand – on a strategic investment from EBRD, Morphosis Capital Fund II, and CEECAT Capital. Act Legal Romania, working with Mihaela Mindru Law Office, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, and Van Campen Liem, advised the investors.
With this transaction, Gianina and Iulian Nica have sold a majority stake in La Cocos.
According to ACT Legal Romania, "founded in 2014, La Cocos has grown steadily, recording a 24% annual increase in sales between 2018 and 2022, outpacing other key players in the Romanian food retail market. The retailer reported revenues of EUR 200 million in 2023 and is recognized for offering a well-curated selection of approximately 10,000 products at highly competitive prices."
According to Tuca, Zbarcea & Asociatii, “the capital influx will support the rapid network expansion of the food retailer across Romania. La Cocos is a discount retailer with three stores located in Ploiesti and Bucharest and the strongest independent food retail chain in the grocery retail market in Romania.”
The Tuca, Zbarcea & Asociatii team included Partners Dragos Apostol and Oana Ureche, Managing Associate Vera Aman, and Associate Iulia Barbu.
The Act Legal Romania team included Partners Mihaela Posirca and Iustina Oblu, Of Counsel Christian Mindru, Counsel Ruxandra Listea, and Managing Associate Alexandru Dan.
