Sector Spotlight: Consumer & Tech M&A Gain Pace in 2025

In this edition of Datasite's Sector Spotlight Series, David Allen, Vice President of Sales in Los Angeles, turns to two sectors navigating volatility with bold strategic moves: Consumer and Technology.

After a cautious start to 2025, confidence is returning. Capital reserves remain strong, strategic priorities are sharper, and activity is picking up across luxury, AI, and digital infrastructure.

Key Moves

Consumer: Volumes fell 10% in H1, but deal value rose 24% (KPMG) as buyers targeted premium brands.

• Prada – Versace ($1.4B): major push toward luxury consolidation
• L’Oréal – Medik8 ($1.1B): expansion in premium skincare and dermaceuticals

Technology: More than 100 channel-impacting deals were announced by July.

• HPE – Juniper Networks: strengthening AI and networking capabilities
• Charter – Cox fiber assets ($34.5B): scaling digital infrastructure
• Oracle’s $30B cloud deal with UAE provider: extending global reach

Private equity is highly active, targeting infrastructure-heavy assets, data centers, and AI deployment platforms. Thoma Bravo’s $10.5B bid for Boeing’s Digital Aviation Solutions highlights the scale and urgency behind tech consolidation.

What’s Driving It?

Across both sectors, the motivations are clear. Consumer brands are merging to protect margins and global reach, while tech players are buying the infrastructure and AI capabilities required to stay competitive. Valuation mismatches are still delaying some deals, but strategic clarity is unlocking others. As McKinsey notes, companies with strong internal M&A capabilities are outperforming in 2025, as execution becomes just as important as strategy.

Bottom line: Consumer and tech M&A are stabilizing, not stalling. With luxury consolidation and AI-driven infrastructure leading the way, dealmakers are navigating volatility with renewed focus. Execution and valuation discipline will determine who wins.

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