Sponsored By

Smart & Final mulling possible sale?

Report says warehouse-style food retailer exploring strategic options

Russell Redman

February 6, 2019

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Smart & Final Stores Inc. reportedly could be on the selling block.

Citing unnamed sources, Reuters reported yesterday that Smart & Final is exploring strategic options, including a potential sale of the company.

The sources in the Reuters report noted that it’s not certain a sale agreement will be reached. They said Smart & Final currently is working with investment banks and has contacted private equity firms that are potential suitors.

Commerce, Calif.-based Smart & Final declined to comment on the Reuters report.

“Smart & Final is focused on executing against our strategic plan to continue to build on our core strengths in value pricing and merchandising as we invest in digital commerce and infrastructure,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. “Beyond that, it is our long-standing policy not to comment on market rumors or speculation.”

The warehouse-style food retailer is majority-owned by private equity firm Ares Management, which holds a more than 58% stake in the company. No other institutional or individual investors hold a more than 4% interest, though Vanguard Group Inc. recently upped its share to 3.43%.

Los Angeles-based Ares acquired its majority stake in Smart & Final from Apollo Global Management in late 2012 for $975 million. About two years later, the retailer completed an initial public offering at $12 per share. As of afternoon trading on Tuesday, Smart & Final shares were at $6.34 after opening calendar 2019 at $4.70.

Related:Smart & Final upbeat on foodservice, online sales growth

In its most recently completed quarter, ended Oct. 7, Smart & Final reported revenue of about $1.50 billion, up 2.8% from $1.45 billion a year earlier. The company said the third-quarter gain was fueled by a 0.6% rise in same-store sales plus business at new stores.

Key strategic initiatives for the retailer include migrating more of its legacy stores to the Smart & Final Extra! banner and ramping up its foodservice and e-commerce businesses, including delivery and click-and-collect services. E-commerce sales for the quarter doubled for the Smart & Final banner and soared 500% for the Smart Foodservice stores.

Adjusted net income in the third quarter came in at $16.9 million, or 23 cents per share, versus $12.9 million, or 17 cents per share, a year ago. Analysts’ consensus estimate was for adjusted earnings per share of 17 cents. 

Overall, Smart & Final operates 324 stores in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana and Utah. As of Oct. 7, its U.S. locations included 199 Smart & Final Extra! stores, 61 legacy Smart & Final stores and 64 Smart Foodservice Warehouse stores. The chain also operates 15 stores in northwestern Mexico through a joint venture.

Related:Smart & Final Extra! format reaches milestone

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like