Nearly two years after Albertsons postponed its initial public offering, the company is reportedly shelving a renewed plan to introduce its IPO.
Citing the retailer’s reported attempt to acquire Whole Foods earlier this year, the subsequent $13.7 billion acquisition agreement between Amazon and Whole Foods, recent stock performance of rival retailer Kroger, and the less-than-optimal performance of Blue Apron’s IPO, Bloomberg reports that Albertsons is putting its plans to trade publically on ice.
For now, that is. But Bloomberg’s sources reported that, despite recent disruptions in the industry, Albertsons had been considering reviving its IPO plans and going public as soon as this year. The retailer has continued to update its quarterly financial results in amended filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which the news source noted may indicate that Albertsons’ IPO plans may not be scuttled for good.
And the company is purportedly still eying an acquisition that may give Albertsons momentum going into an IPO. As recently as March, Bloomberg reports, the company was discussing plans to acquire Sprouts Farmers Market—a move, the financial news source noted, would give Albertsons increased expertise on perishables and natural foods that could be applied across its various banners.
After Amazon’s announcement that it had reached an agreement to acquire Whole Foods in June of this year, traditional grocery stocks have declined, with major retailers like Kroger, Supervalu, and Weis Markets hemorrhaging market value over night.
What will the future hold for Albertsons and other retailers in our industry? Deli Market News will continue to report.
