In Milwaukee, the Journal-Sentinel reports that Willis Stein & Partners, owners of Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc., has put the chain up for sale.
According to the story, Willis Stein bought Roundy’s for $750 million in 2002, and originally planned to sell it in 2007. However, the financial meltdown and recession put those plans on hold.
Neither Willis Stein nor Roundy’s commented on the report.
The Journal-Sentinel says that “the new sale effort for Roundy's is in an early stage, according to Deal Pipeline. The report lists three competitors as likely bidders for Roundy's: Schnuck Markets Inc., a family-owned chain based in St. Louis; Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.; and Supervalu Inc. of Minnesota. Several industry experts said, however that Supervalu isn't likely to take on another acquisition, since the chain is struggling with a debt burden from its $17.4 billion purchase in 2006 of Albertsons.” Safeway also is mentioned as possibly having interest in Roundy’s.
According to the story, Willis Stein bought Roundy’s for $750 million in 2002, and originally planned to sell it in 2007. However, the financial meltdown and recession put those plans on hold.
Neither Willis Stein nor Roundy’s commented on the report.
The Journal-Sentinel says that “the new sale effort for Roundy's is in an early stage, according to Deal Pipeline. The report lists three competitors as likely bidders for Roundy's: Schnuck Markets Inc., a family-owned chain based in St. Louis; Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.; and Supervalu Inc. of Minnesota. Several industry experts said, however that Supervalu isn't likely to take on another acquisition, since the chain is struggling with a debt burden from its $17.4 billion purchase in 2006 of Albertsons.” Safeway also is mentioned as possibly having interest in Roundy’s.
- KC's View:
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I’d agree with that last comment; Supervalu seems to be in “sell” mode, not “buy” mode.
It also may not be as easy to sell the company as ownership might hope; Roundy’s has been under pressure from both ends of the market, and its market share in Wisconsin has not been moving in the right direction.
