[2] After the takeover by financial investor Advent International, Douglas Holding was delisted in 2013[3] and the conglomerate was gradually split into its individual companies.

In June 2015, CVC Capital Partners agreed to purchase the controlling stake in the company from Advent International in a deal which reportedly valued Douglas at around 2.8 billion euros.

The actual predecessor of the Douglas Holding AG, the Hussel Süßwarenfilialbetrieb GmbH, was founded in 1949, and transformed into a joint stock company in 1962.

[6] The deal was successfully managed by board members Henning Kreke (CEO) and Burkhard Bamberger (CFO).

[7] Advent International refocused Douglas on its primary perfume and cosmetics lines, spinning off the company's other brands: Confectioner Hussel was sold to Emeram Capital Partners in March 2014.