Major electronics retailer Nojima said on Monday that it will acquire personal computer maker Vaio for about ¥11.2 billion.
Nojima will purchase about 93% of Vaio's outstanding shares from investment fund Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), aiming to make Vaio a subsidiary on Jan. 6.
Nojima hopes to boost sales of PCs for corporate customers by using its sales network for smartphones and other devices.
Vaio was originally the personal computer business of what is now Sony Group, but it was sold to JIP in 2014 after struggling amid the rise of overseas rivals and the spread of smartphones.
Vaio will not change its corporate and brand names or business operations policies after coming under Nojima's wing, and members of its leadership will remain in their posts. Nojima also will not sell Vaio products exclusively at its outlets.
Sony will continue to hold a 4.7% stake in Vaio.
Vaio's performance is recovering thanks to its strategy of focusing on corporate clients.
Nojima, which also operates internet and financial businesses, aims to leverage synergies by utilizing the mutual customer bases of the two companies.
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