Super de Boer and Schuitema, the Dutch retailers, have remained tight-lipped over claims that they could be set to form a purchasing joint venture.
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A deal between Super de Boer, in which French retailer Casino owns a majority stake, and private equity-owned Schuitema, could be “imminent”, Reuters claimed yesterday (3 February), citing an anonymous source.
However, officials at both companies refused to be drawn on the report when contacted by just-food today.
“We don’t have any comment. We never have any comments to make on the rumours in the market,” a Schuitema spokesperson said.
When asked if Schuitema was looking to boost its purchasing division, the spokesperson added: “Not necessarily. It really isn’t an issue.”
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By GlobalDataSuper de Boer was equally coy. “This is speculation. We never comment on speculation,” a spokesperson insisted.
Industry watchers, however, have said that such a deal between the two firms is a logical move.
“If they do announce something, it will be on purchasing,” Petercam analyst Fernand de Boer told just-food.
De Boer said Super de Boer, which sold off a block of 44 stores in 2007 to streamline its operations, is facing increased competition from the likes of industry leader Albert Heijn, which is owned by retail giant Ahold and Super Unie, an association of independent retailers.
“On the consumer side, Super de Boer is the fourth or fifth player but on the purchasing side, you actually have a lot of smaller players with stronger combined purchasing power with Super Unie,” de Boer said.
“If you look at the scenario for 2009, with food inflation coming down and maybe likely to become deflation, and with rate costs still rising, and, up until now, the store base of Super de Boer getting smaller, you need to do something to protect your margins.”
