Oki-Ni acquired by French e-commerce group

British-based premium online retailer Oki-Ni has been bought by French menswear e-commerce and media group MenInvest for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2001 by Ben Banks, Gino Da'Prato, Charles Perez and Dominique Signoret,

Oki-Ni was launched as a gallery space/store, and has established itself as a global online destination selling established and progressive menswear brands including Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, Comme Des Garçons, Kenzo, Raf Simons and Martin Margiela.

Currently, Oki-Ni.com generates 40 percent of its sales in the UK, closely followed by the United States, Japan and Germany, markets that the mainly Europe-focused MenInvest would like to target.

MenInvest acquires menswear e-tailer Oki-Ni

MenInvest, which was founded in 2010 by Marc Ménasé, has developed itself into one of Europe’s leading e-commerce and media groups, with the help of backing from AXA Private Equity, Partech International, 123 Venture and Orkos Capital. The acquisition of Oki-Ni will complement its three other menswear e-commerce sites - Menlook.com, Timefy and Saint Sens, which combined offer over 300 apparel and accessories brands across a wide range of price points and attract 1.5 million unique visitors per month from over 60 countries.

Oki-Ni.com, which reaches more than 500,000 unique visitors per month, and ships to more than 75 countries, will sit at the top end MenInvest’s menswear portfolio and add a different designer luxury offering to Menlook.com.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ménasé, said: “This is a key element of our growth strategy which will allow us to reach 100 million euros in revenue by 2016 and become the global fashion designation for men online.”

Oki-Ni’s co-founder Perez added: "The e-commerce market and particularly of man is still untapped with a high growth potential area. This strategic alliance will allow us to take advantage of opportunities in the global market."

To help push forward MenInvest’s online ventures, two of Oki-Ni’s co-founders, Ben Banks and Charles Perez will join the company’s board as shareholders and will advisor the group, and the Oki-Ni offices and team in London will remain open.