United Natural Foods announced that it plans to acquire Supervalu for $2.9 billion in cash. According to Supermarket News, the deal would create a large, diverse food distributor serving traditional grocery stores via Supervalu, and natural/organic product retailers though United Natural Foods, whose primary customer is Whole Foods.
The acquisition is expected to result in Supervalu’s exit from the grocery retail business. Supervalu operates 114 supermarkets under the Cub Foods, Hornbacher’s and Shoppers banners. Save-A-Lot had been owned by Supervalu until 2016 when it was acquired by Onex Corporation.
In recent years Supervalu has struggled to compete with larger grocery companies and online food retailers, and as a result has stepped up its wholesale operations. Wholesaling now accounts for 78% of total sales, up from about 44% two years ago. The company’s wholesale arm serves a network of 3,437 stores.
The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.