PE Deals

H.I.G.-backed Bluebird acquires 479 Sales & Marketing

The Bluebird Group, which is backed by H.I.G. Capital, has acquired Bentonville, Arkansas-based 479 Sales & Marketing, a retail services consulting firm.

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The Bluebird Group, which is backed by H.I.G. Capital, has acquired Bentonville, Arkansas-based 479 Sales & Marketing, a retail services consulting firm. No financial terms were disclosed.

PRESS RELEASE

H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with over $48 billion of equity capital under management, is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, The Bluebird Group (“Bluebird”), has acquired 479 Sales & Marketing, LLC (“479”), a Bentonville, Arkansas-based, full-service retail services consulting firm.

With almost two decades of experience, 479 provides leading brands with the strategic planning, operations consulting, account management, digital optimization, and data analytics services necessary to succeed at Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam’s Club.

Jason Kapsner, CEO of Bluebird, said, “With 479, we have found a partner that shares our priorities of being analytically forward-thinking and trusted stewards of our brand and retail partners. We look forward to being able to provide our clients with a broader service offering that taps into 479’s Walmart expertise.”

John Crimmins, CEO of 479, and Tyler Darnall, Partner at 479, noted “This partnership unlocks numerous opportunities for our retail and brand partners that value data and execution. Together, our tools will peel back even more layers of data to unearth consumer trends that will give our clients an edge in the marketplace.”

Andrey Vakhovskiy, Managing Director at H.I.G., commented, “Bluebird’s goal is to be the trusted advisor with unique data insights and recommendations across the most important sales channels in which brands engage. We believe the combination with 479 continues to strengthen and evolve Bluebird’s service offering.”

About The Bluebird Group
The Bluebird Group is a retail services and consulting firm serving some of the world’s most innovative and beloved brands. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, Bluebird provides strategic planning, operations consulting, account management, digital optimization, and data analytics necessary for brands to execute and to optimize sales