Mutares Sells Prénatal Netherlands to CEO Jochem van Bueren

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA has finalized the sale of Prénatal Netherlands, a leading omnichannel retailer specializing in mother and child products, to the company’s CEO, Jochem van Bueren. The transaction, completed on September 23, 2026, transfers full ownership of the Dutch business to van Bueren in a fully financed deal.

Prénatal Netherlands operates 34 stores nationwide alongside a growing e-commerce platform, generating approximately €80 million in annual revenues. The company has a heritage spanning more than 65 years, offering a broad range of maternity, baby, and child products to Dutch consumers.

Since his appointment as CEO in January 2026, Jochem van Bueren has driven significant operational improvements, including strengthening the commercial proposition, optimizing the cost base, and repositioning the business for profitable growth. This acquisition allows him to continue leading Prénatal Netherlands independently and capitalize on the momentum established earlier this year.

The divestment aligns with Mutares’ strategic objective to reduce exposure in the Retail and Automotive sectors and sharpen its portfolio focus on Chemicals, Energy, Infrastructure, Logistics, and Services. Johannes Laumann, Chief Investment Officer at Mutares, stated, “With this transaction, we place Prénatal in the best possible hands for its next chapter. Since taking over as CEO at the beginning of this year, Jochem van Bueren has made impressive progress in developing the company and is well positioned to continue on this path independently. At the same time, the divestment underlines our strategy to reduce our exposure in retail and automotive and to focus our portfolio on Chemicals, Energy, Infrastructure, Logistics and Services.”

Prénatal Netherlands is a household name in the Dutch retail market, known for its comprehensive product assortment and omnichannel presence. The company’s e-commerce platform has been expanding steadily, complementing its physical store network and enhancing customer reach.

Jochem van Bueren commented on the transaction, “We are very thankful to Mutares for the support in the last years, enabling a successful transformation phase for Prénatal. We see Prénatal now again fit for future and, together with an external financier, are proud to be able to continue this journey successfully delivering an exciting customer journey with a great brand and wonderful colleagues in the Dutch retail world.”

Market trends indicate increasing consumer demand for integrated omnichannel shopping experiences in the mother and child retail segment. Prénatal’s focused management ownership is expected to accelerate growth by leveraging the CEO’s deep operational knowledge, expanding the e-commerce platform, and enhancing the product assortment tailored to Dutch market preferences.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. However, the deal represents a full acquisition of Prénatal Netherlands’ equity. The CEO-led buyout is anticipated to improve operational efficiencies through cost structure optimization, streamlined supply chain management, and targeted marketing strategies.

Looking ahead, Prénatal Netherlands plans to continue integrating its physical and digital channels to enhance customer experience. The company aims to strengthen brand loyalty and explore selective store network optimization while maintaining strong supplier and partner relationships.

This transaction marks a significant step for both Mutares and Prénatal Netherlands. Mutares advances its portfolio realignment strategy, while Prénatal embarks on a new phase of independent growth under focused leadership.