<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"> Matthews, NC-</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">02.22.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Ahold has taken an interest in the Matthews, North Carolina-based grocery chain Harris Teeter which has recently retained JPMorgan Chase & Co. to hold discussions with certain parties regarding strategic alternatives.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/harristeeter022213ban.jpg" alt="Ahold Eye Harris Teeter Images" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">According to Bloomberg, Ahold has contacted JPMorgan Chase & Co. and is seeking more information on the sale process, said a person with knowledge of the matter, but hasn’t made a formal bid.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We regard Harris Teeter as a likely deal for Ahold,” Patrick Roquas, an analyst at Rabobank, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. As it’s unlikely that that Ahold will put its “credible track record at risk” by paying too much, a deal for Harris teeter would not likely hurt the company.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Buying the chain would help Ahold with its expansion in the southern U.S. and Washington, D.C. With its acquisition history and previous expansions, the chances of a bid are probable, BMO Capital Markets analyst Karen Short was noted as saying.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Both Kroger and Publix have also come up as potential buyers eyeing Harris Teeter.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more on Harris Teeter.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-21/harris-teeter-said-to-draw-interest-from-dutch-rival-ahold-1-.html" target="_new">Harris Teeter</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
