Shift4 Payments, a provider of payment processing solutions, has closed the previously announced acquisition of speciality payments and technology platform Global Blue at an enterprise value of around $2.5bn.
The transaction involved a tender offer by GT Holding 1, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Shift4, allowing the latter to purchase outstanding shares of Global Blue at $7.5 per share in cash.
This acquisition represents a 15% premium over Global Blue’s closing share price on 14 February 2025.
Global Blue, with over four decades in the industry, operates at the confluence of travel and luxury retail markets across Europe, Asia, and South America. Based in Switzerland, the company is engaged in providing tax-refund and currency conversion technologies, serving various luxury and premium retailers worldwide.
These services will now be integrated into Shift4’s global payments platform, expanding the capabilities available to Shift4’s merchants.
The combined entity plans to introduce an all-in-one payment terminal offering VAT refund, dynamic currency conversion (DCC), and payment processing services. This integration aims to deliver a comprehensive payment solution for merchants globally.
Shift4 CEO Taylor Lauber said: “This marks the largest acquisition in Shift4’s history and reinforces our track record of bold moves that expand our capabilities and deliver the most comprehensive commerce offering in the industry.
“By integrating Global Blue into our end-to-end platform, we’re further expanding our global reach and solidifying our position as a leading unified commerce provider that adds meaningful value to our merchants around the world.”
The acquisition also marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between Shift4, Ant International, and Tencent. This collaboration will focus on global e-commerce payment products, including Alipay+ and WeChat Pay distribution within the Shift4 ecosystem.
Shift4 plans to delist Global Blue’s shares from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and intends to execute a squeeze-out merger under Swiss law for the remaining shares.
Recently, Shift4 has signed an agreement to acquire Smartpay, a payment solutions provider in Australia and New Zealand. Valued at NZ$296.4m ($180m), this deal reflects a 46.5% premium on Smartpay’s trading average price over 90 days.
Subject to regulatory approval, this acquisition is expected to close in Q4 2025.
