MGPA, the private equity real estate investment advisory company, announced on Wednesday that it has exchanged contracts to acquire a portfolio of 140 properties in a sale-and leaseback transaction from German retail discounter Aldi.

MGPA, the private equity real estate investment advisory company, announced on Wednesday that it has exchanged contracts to acquire a portfolio of 140 properties in a sale-and leaseback transaction from German retail discounter Aldi.

The financial details were not disclosed.

The portfolio consists mainly of stores in the south and west of the county. The deal also covers some unused land and a logistics centre. The properties will be managed by MGPA Europe Fund III.

Marius Schöner, MGPA's managing director for Germany, said: 'This is the first transaction in Germany involving MGPA Europe Fund III, which only began investing last year. We have sufficient capital to make further interesting investments. During the next six months, our focus lies on retail properties and specialist outlet stores.'

MGPA has plans to invest up to EUR 200 mln in further deals in Germany this year. The strategy is to build portfolios that combine properties on long-term leasing contracts with real estate assets that have upside potential.