1972
OVS was born in Venice in 1972, initially as "Magazzini Oviesse", a division of Coin S.p.A. active in the management of department stores. The '70s and '80s saw the development of the model store with sales of apparel; goods’ variety was expanded with the introduction of sporting goods, toys, perfumes and leather goods.
In 1999, to expand its presence throughout Italy, Gruppo Coin purchased the non-food chain, “La Standa”. It includes over 160 stores which over the next few years were converted to OVS. In July 1999, Gruppo Coin ordinary shares were listed on the MTA.
Gruppo Coin transferred the business unit consisting of the activities of today's OVS to the newly formed company Oviesse S.r.l a wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Coin S.p.A. subsequently transformed into Oviesse S.p.A.
In May 2005, the investment funds managed by the French company PAI Partners S.A.S. acquired through the company Financière Tintoretto S.A., a controlling share in Gruppo Coin from Finanziaria Coin S.r.l., a company in the Coin family.
Oviesse S.p.A. acquired 100% of the share capital in Tre.bi S.p.A., owner of the Melablu apparel chain with over 60 stores, mainly in shopping centres in Northwest Italy which. Following the acquisition they were converted to OVS stores.
2010
Gruppo Coin acquired 100% of the share capital of Upim S.r.l., Italian leader in the clothing industry, active in the country with 135 directly operated stores under the brand UPIM and 15 stores under the brand BluKids, in addition to a network managed franchise with more than 200 stores.
2011
In December 2011 Oviesse S.p.A. buys the children’s clothing and accessories branch under the “IANA” brand from Unitessile S.p.A. It has 397 retail outlets, of which 45 are directly operated and over 150 are franchises. During the first half of 2012 the distribution network, which was previously under the “IANA” brand, is reconverted, mainly into the OVS Kids and BluKids formats.
The SHAKA Innovative Beauty brand comes into being, the OVS brand dedicated to the beauty sector. An innovative concept characterised by careful selection of cutting-edge indie brands at affordable prices, with an eye always on the latest trends and sustainability, present through the shop-in-shop formula in 400 OVS stores.
The merger by incorporation of the subsidiary companies Oviesse S.p.A., Coin S.p.A., Upim S.r.l., Oviesse Franchising S.p.A. and Coin Franchising S.p.A. into Gruppo Coin S.p.A. became effective. Following this corporate reorganization, Gruppo Coin S.p.A. became the parent company of Gruppo Coin.
Gruppo Coin began a corporate reorganization project to carve out the business unit consisting of the “OVS-UPIM division” which from 1 August 2014, was assigned to the company OVS S.p.A.
OVS S.p.A. was listed on the Italian Stock Exchange.
Tamburi Investment Partners S.p.A. signed an agreement with Gruppo Coin S.p.A. for the acquisition of the entire stake held by the latter in OVS S.p.A., equal to 17.835%. As a result of the above, TIP, already shareholder of OVS with an equity interest of approximately 4.912%, achieves an overall stake of around 22.747% of the share capital of OVS.
OVS buys PIOMBO, the brand created by Massimo Piombo and known internationally for its colourful good taste and ability to create unusual combinations of materials, shapes, and colours. It is located in over 500 OVS stores with exclusive corners dedicated to men, women and children.
OVS SpA Group acquires the Stefanel brand.
On 1st February, Gap Inc. and OVS S.p.A. signed a definitive agreement to transfer Gap’s stores in Italy to OVS.
OVS buys LES COPAINS, the iconic and greatly admired 1980s brand, which is still part of the contemporary imagination of those who love and know fashion.
2024
On 16 July 2024 OVS S.p.A completes the investment agreement for Goldenpoint S.p.A., one of the most recognisable Italian brands for underwear, beachwear and stockings, with turnover of around 100 million Euro and a network of around 380 stores in prestigious locations, with the goal of gradually taking control and so acquiring 100% of Goldenpoint S.p.A.