(Reuters) – Alimentation Couche-Tard plans to renew its interest in acquiring 7-Eleven from Japanese group Seven & i Holdings, the operator of the convenience store chain, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Canadian distributor plans to write to Seven & i Holdings in the coming days and has not ruled out presenting its offer directly to shareholders, the news agency said.
Couche-Tard and Seven & i did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Seven & i said last month it had received a preliminary offer from Couche-Tard.
A new proposal could reflect the Canadian group’s willingness to improve its initial offer if Seven & i agrees to friendly negotiations, according to Bloomberg, which cites a source close to the matter.
7-Eleven said the Canadian group’s initial proposal was not in the interests of its shareholders and could be vetoed by U.S. competition authorities, as the combined entity is likely to be the largest in the convenience store sector.
Couche-Tard announced in 2021 a proposed merger with the French distributor Carrefour, before withdrawing its proposal following the refusal of the French government.
(Written by Devika Nair in Bangalore; by Claude Chendjou)
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