Aeon is reportedly considering the integration of Tsuruha Holdings and Welcia Holdings, potentially giving rise to a 2 trillion yen-scale drugstore powerhouse. As Aeon serves as the parent company of Welcia and is in the final stages of negotiations for acquiring shares from the investment fund holding over 10% of Tsuruha HD stocks.
Tsuruha HD is contemplating going private, aiming to sidestep shareholder pressures and focus on growth strategies. The anticipated acquisition for going private is estimated to be around 600 billion yen, with several private equity funds expressing interest.
Playing a crucial role in the restructuring of the drugstore industry, Aeon holds a 13.35% stake in Tsuruha HD. In the industry, the merger of Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings and Cocokara Fine has secured its position as the third-largest, and if the integration of Tsuruha and Welcia materializes, it could become a formidable competitor.
Aeon, recognized as a retail industry giant, not only owns Welcia HD as a subsidiary but also has investments in numerous other drugstore chains. While the integration and restructuring of Aeon-affiliated drugstores are considered challenging, the industry is closely watching Aeon’s moves amidst these ongoing transformations.
Source: Nikkei Feb 24, 2024
Related Articles
LAWSON to release plant-based food made entirely from plants on May 27th
Starting May 27, LAWSON (Tokyo) has launched the "NL Plant-Based Grissini Tomato Basil Flavor" (168 yen including tax), which is made using only plant-based ingredients, as part of its Natural LAWSON confectionery series at LAWSON stores nationwide (14,026 stores as...
Challenging Cocoa Inflation – Fuji Oil’s Plant-Based Alternative Shows Promise
Rethinking Chocolate for the Future – Fuji Oil Unveils Cacao-Free Innovation As cocoa prices continue to soar, a new approach from Japan’s Fuji Oil Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Izumisano, Osaka; President and CEO: Tatsuji Omori) is gaining attention across the food...
Morinaga Milk Industry Clinico launches “Sunkist Onaka Ukiuki Satisfying Fruit” series to support intestinal environment
On June 11th, Morinaga Milk Industry Clinico (Tokyo) will release three flavors of the "Sunkist Onna Kiuki Satisfying Fruit" series of nutritional supplement drinks that make it easy to get dietary fiber as functional foods - "Apple," "Tangerine," and "Muscat" - as...