FT: Albertsons Shopping For Whole Foods

(RTTNews) - Grocery chain Albertsons is considering to acquire Whole Foods, according to a report in Financial Times.

According to the report, citing sources close to the matter, private equity funds Cerberus Capital Management, that owns Albertsons, is in talks to with banks to make a takeover offer for Whole Foods.

Albertsons had merged with rival grocery chain Safeway in 2014 and explored an initial public offering in 2015 before dropping the idea. Last month, the company was rumored to be considering a merger with Sprouts Farmers Market, which offers organic produce.

While Foods has been struggling with sales decline for some time and in February announced the closure of nine stores.

Earlier this month, Jana Partners revealed that it had acquired an 8.3 percent stake in Whole Foods Market. The activist investor is pushing for the company to explore strategic options, including a possible sale.