NEW YORK CITY, NY - Each time Ahold Delhaize takes a step toward growth, the retail world feels it. In a market-shaking move, the company revealed last night that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire online grocer FreshDirect. Ahold will acquire the majority share, funded by cash on hand, and Centerbridge Partners will be a minority equity investor with a 20 percent stake.
“FreshDirect is a leading local brand in the fast-growing online grocery sector in the New York City metro area, one of the most important ecommerce food markets in the United States,” Frans Muller, Ahold Delhaize’s Chief Executive Officer, said. “With its unparalleled quality of fresh food, exceptional brand recognition, and dedicated people, it has generated remarkable customer loyalty. This acquisition further propels our omni-channel evolution. It is a great addition and fit for our portfolio of leading local brands. The deal allows us to reach additional customers in the New York trade area and therefore will add incremental sales to the business. It further enables us to address customers’ growing preference for convenient ways to shop. Finally, we are excited to have Centerbridge alongside of us in this venture and believe our combined focus, expertise, and scale will help us maximize the success of FreshDirect going forward.”
A press release explained that after the deal closes, FreshDirect will retain its brand name, report to a seven-person board, and continue to independently operate out of its facility in New York City. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the transaction is expected to finalize in the first quarter of 2021.
FreshDirect has more than 20 years of local market and customer experience. The company focuses on fresh food, which represents more than 60 percent of its sales. It differentiates itself by forming exclusive relationships with local farmers coupled with unique meal solution capabilities. The company’s efficient supply chain enables faster and more direct delivery of fresh food than most other conventional grocery services, providing a further enhanced freshness experience to customers. FreshDirect also brings with it a highly scalable and state-of-the-art fulfillment center, located in the Bronx, New York. Its e-commerce platform enables customer ordering, from picking through packing to last mile delivery, including the ability to provide same-day and rush delivery.
“We are strong believers that the future of grocery retail involves getting customers the best quality food, exactly when they want it, with the best customer service,” David McInerney, FreshDirect’s Chief Executive Officer, said. “We have built FreshDirect into a reliable and recognizable business to serve this purpose. This transaction marks an important milestone in the continued growth of FreshDirect. I believe Ahold Delhaize’s global scale, focus on strong, leading local brands, and ability to utilize cost-of-goods synergies, will allow FreshDirect to achieve its full potential.”
Adam Burinescu, Senior Managing Director at Centerbridge, also weighed in on the deal.
“We are excited to partner with Ahold Delhaize, a leading player in global food retail and believe this is an outstanding combination," Burinescu said. "As a partner, we believe that Centerbridge brings deep experience in the interplay between logistics facilities and e-commerce fulfillment that can assist FreshDirect in reaching its next level of growth.”
BofA Securities, Inc. is acting as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal advisor to Ahold Delhaize. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is acting as legal advisor to FreshDirect. Fried Frank is acting as legal advisor to Centerbridge.
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