Quest Holdings is moving forward with the possibility of new partnerships and alliances. Market interest remains focused on both Quest’s stake in Fourlis and ACS. Regarding the latter, Mr. Fessas indicated that developments are expected in October. “We’ll wait until October. That’s when it will be decided… so we can go on vacation with peace of mind!” he said, referring to discussions with the German side on the sidelines of yesterday’s EY event.
Regarding the stake in Fourlis, the Quest chairman said there is room for synergies. “Achieving synergies is a good approach. We have a lot in common,” he noted. He avoided, however, preempting the possibility of increasing the stake.
“We have stopped buying shares. The board of directors had decided on a specific capital ceiling that we would allocate. We will revisit this in the second half of the year,” he noted. When asked if there could be a larger acquisition, he replied: “We don’t know what the future holds. We can make plans, but we can’t know for sure.”
He expressed caution regarding the retail sector, noting that Kotsovolos’s case was unique due to its leading market position. Regarding potential interest in Public or other chains, he hinted that the group’s priorities have shifted. “I think we’ll move toward products with better profit margins,” he said.
In contrast, Quest continues to seek opportunities in the technology sector through Uni Systems. “We’re constantly on the lookout. What gives you a competitive edge in business are the alliances you can form and the stakes you can acquire. Even on a large scale, it’s not enough to go it alone,” he emphasized.
Regarding Apple’s recent price increases, he assessed that they may limit sales volume, without, however, affecting their value accordingly. “Apple has managed to become a coveted product and now operates much like a luxury brand,” he commented.
Regarding Xiaomi’s electric cars, Mr. Fessas reiterated his interest in bringing them to Greece. As for the real estate market, he said, “We’re making selective sales so we can free up capital for new investments,” noting that this particular sector requires significant equity capital.