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Sale of Uni.Co guarantees an initial entry of R$ 20 million and reinforces the retailer’s progress in the judicial recovery plan.
Americanas has completed the sale of Uni.Co, the holding company responsible for the brands Imaginarium and Puket, to BandUP!, in a transaction valued at R$ 152.9 million.
The deal was closed on July 2, 2026 and is part of the retailer’s judicial recovery plan.
The company has already received R$ 20 million as the first installment of the transaction.
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Part of this amount was used to cover operational costs. The remainder was allocated to the early payment of debts.
Sale is part of the plan to reorganize accounts
The operation takes place amid the judicial recovery process of Americanas, initiated in January 2023.
At the time, the company reported having identified billion-dollar accounting inconsistencies in its financial statements.
According to the company itself, the initially estimated shortfall exceeded R$ 20 billion.
Since then, the retailer has been implementing measures to reduce its indebtedness and renegotiate commitments with creditors.
Payment will be made in stages over the coming years
The total sale amount will be paid in installments.
The first installment of R$ 20 million has already been received by Americanas.
The remaining balance will be settled in five annual, equal, and successive installments.
The first of these will be due in one year.
During this period, the amounts will be adjusted by the CDI, between the closing date of the operation and the actual payment.
Money helps reduce part of the debt
After paying the sale costs, the remaining amount was applied to the extraordinary amortization of the 22nd issuance of non-convertible debentures.
In practice, Americanas anticipated part of its debt payment.
This move occurred outside the originally planned schedule.
The sale of Uni.Co, therefore, represents another attempt to relieve the company’s cash flow.
BandUP! takes over well-known retail brands
BandUP! operates in the market of official licensed products.
The company works with franchises like Harry Potter, Disney, and Cartoon Network.
With the purchase of Uni.Co, the company now controls popular brands in Brazilian retail, such as Imaginarium and Puket.
The business expands its presence in segments related to gifts, fashion, pop culture, and licensed products.
Americanas crisis still under investigation
The accounting crisis of Americanas continues under investigation.
The week before the sale announcement, the Federal Police initiated the 2nd phase of Operation Disclosure.
The investigation is looking into the accounting fraud involving the company.
According to forensic technical reports cited in the investigations, the estimated loss has already reached R$ 54 billion.
Names linked to the case were cited in the investigations
According to journalist Camila Bomfim’s blog, among the targets are Paulo Alberto Lemann, son of Jorge Paulo Lemann.
Carlos Alberto da Veiga Sicupira, Eduardo Saggioro Garcia, and names linked to financial institutions were also mentioned.
These institutions maintained a relationship with Americanas.
The company stated, in a note, that it was not targeted by the Federal Police operation.
Company says it will continue to cooperate with authorities
Americanas declared that it will continue to cooperate with the competent authorities.
The company also informed that the reference shareholders see the operation as a regular part of the ongoing investigations.
According to the note, they reiterate their commitment to fully cooperate since January 11, 2023.
It was on this date that, according to the statement, they became aware of the accounting frauds.
What does this sale represent for Americanas?
The sale of Uni.Co shows that Americanas continues to seek ways to reorganize its financial structure.
At the same time, the operation reinforces the strategy of selling assets to reduce debts.
The company remains under close scrutiny from the market, creditors, and authorities.
The future of the retailer will depend on the continuation of the judicial recovery plan, debt renegotiation, and the progress of investigations.
Named sources: Americanas, Federal Police, Camila Bomfim’s blog, forensic technical reports cited in the investigations, and company statements.
Could the sale of the owner of Imaginarium and Puket help Americanas regain financial strength after the billion-dollar crisis?
