A report last month stated that Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional supermarket chain, has interest in purchasing The Fresh Market. The Fresh Market had previously acknowledged that it was reviewing strategic alternatives, but speculation had been on a “going private” deal with founder Ray Berry.
The Fresh Market had an estimated $1.9 billion in sales in 2015, but has struggled with expansion and with the health and wellness trend that’s leading many customers to buy organic products at lower-priced supermarkets.
Kroger has been experimenting with smaller, fresher-focused formats.