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MATTHEWS, N.C. — Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. has broken its long-standing policy of not commenting on rumors to confirm reports that it has retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to help it explore two recent offers to buy the company.
Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. has broken its long-standing policy of not commenting on rumors to confirm reports that it has retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to help it explore two recent offers to buy the company.
Earlier this month Harris Teeter was approached by a pair of private equity firms who expressed an interest in purchasing the company.
"There can be no assurance that these discussions will result in any transaction," the company said in a statement. "If a transaction were entered into, there can be no assurance as to the price, timing or other terms of such transaction."
Harris Teeter says it does not expect to provide any more information until the discussions with the potential buyers are concluded.
After the company revealed that it was being courted by outside firms, industry watchers began to speculate about who would be interested, with Kroger Co., Publix Supermarkets Inc. and Ahold NV being mentioned as possible suitors.
