US retailer Bi-Lo is reportedly up for sale after its private-equity owner Lone Star Funds decided to put the business on the block.

According to Reuters, Bi-Lo has already received interest from trade and private-equity houses.

Reuters said yesterday (9 August) US retail giant Kroger and supermarket chain Publix were among the suitors for Bi-Lo, which fell into bankruptcy in March last year but emerged from protection in May.

Lone Star bought Bi-Lo, which runs over 200 supermarkets in the south of the US, from Dutch retail group Ahold in 2005.