NEW YORK — The wholesaling business is “ripe for some consolidation,” Jeff Noddle, chairman and chief executive officer of Supervalu, Minneapolis, said at a financial conference here yesterday, “whether we are involved or someone else is involved.” Some of the most likely potential wholesale targets may be member-owned cooperatives, he pointed out, “and while it’s difficult getting business away from them, it’s harder to get those member retailers to change to a conventional wholesaler — but there will be some industry consolidation nevertheless,” Noddle added. He made his remarks during a presentation at the 15th annual Global Retailing Conference sponsored by Goldman Sachs. In other remarks, Noddle said Supervalu’s next two quarters will reflect the loss of some perishables sales that previously had gone to Target, now that the discounter has opened two self-distributing warehouses; but with Supervalu running both facilities, the company will nevertheless continue to benefit from the relationship, Noddle said.
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