Potential buyers to visit company Mercator on January 21st

- Potential buyers of one third of the ownership of Mercator, the biggest Slovenian retail chain, should have a meeting with Žiga Debeljak, the President of the company's Administration, tomorrow (January 21, 2010) to get the information on the company - Slovenian media announced.

- Asked by company Arkas, which was hired by the banks owners of 36% of stocks of the market chain to organize its sale, Mercator organized presentation of the company to potential investors - people from Mercator confirmed, but Finance's journalist was unable for find out who was coming to that meeting.

STA agency reminds that the banks owners expect non-binding offers at the beginning of February.

Six banks offer 36% of Mercator for sale, while Pivovarna Laško, which owns 23% of stocks, has not decided yet whether to put a certain share up for sale. The banks may not sell their stocks, and they can keep their shares for up to three years before they start affecting their balances.

Potential buyers of Mercator that have, so far, been mentioned by the media are investment fund Capital Partners (CVC), KKR (Kravis and Roberts), which is specialized for acquisition of companies, Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, Merryll Lynch, as well as Serbian company Delta and Croatian Agrokor.

According to Finance, Agrokor may enter that business with Rovinj-based Adris Group, of which member is Tobacco Factory Rovinj (FDR).