Ringier and Tamedia want Ricardo.ch
The auction platform Ricardo.ch is to be sold. Ringier and Tamedia are showing interest. However, the price expectations diverge.
As the NZZ am Sonntag reports, Naspers, the South African parent company of Ricardo, wants to withdraw from Western Europe. The newspaper cites the statements of an industry insider - the sales process is to begin in the next few weeks.
Tamedia shows interest. In August, the media company already acquired the Danish vintage platform Trendsales from Naspers (Werbewoche.ch reported) Tamedia spokesman Christoph Zimmer told NZZ am Sonntag that the company wants to examine whether it is making an offer for "one of the most interesting online companies in the country".
According to an insider, Ringier also seems to be interested, although the media company has not yet commented on this. It could be interesting for Ringier to also own the number two in the digital car trade, Auto.ricardo.ch, after Autoscout24 and thus strengthen its market leadership in this area. On the other hand, Tamedia, owner of number three (Car4you) could catch up with Ringier with a purchase.
Another purchase argument for both could be the Ricardo subsidiary OLX. In the highly competitive classifieds market - Ringier owns Anibis.ch, Tamedia Tutti.ch - the takeover of the main competitor OLX would be the decisive step towards market leadership. Ebay is also being considered as a potential buyer. A takeover could finally make the auction giant number one in Switzerland, too.
The long list of interested parties suggests that the purchase price will be high. In September, two anonymous people told Bloomberg the value was estimated at $500 million. As the NZZ am Sonntag suspects, the figure could have come from Naspers itself in order to keep the high price in people's minds. The money is to be invested in China and Africa. According to an insider, however, the price is too high, Ricardo is not profitable enough for that. (hae/NZZaS)
