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Investing.com-- Canada’s Alimentation Couche Tard Inc (TSX:ATD) said on Monday that it saw a clear path for U.S. regulatory approval of its bid for Japan’s Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. (TYO:3382), and that it planned to continue engaging with the retail giant.
Couche-Tard said in an open letter that it remained committed to engaging in more elaborate discussions with Seven & i, and that these could also result in an increased offer for the Japanese firm. Couche-Tard had offered about $47 billion for the Japanese firm.
The Canadian retail firm also expressed frustration that Seven & i’s engagement had so far been limited to concerns over U.S. regulations, although it was confident in eventually expanding its scope of engagement.
Couche-Tard said there was a “clear path to regulatory approval in the U.S.,” even as both it and Seven & i operated vast numbers of convenience stores in the country. Seven & i owns the wildly popular 7-Eleven chain, while Couche-Tard operates the Circle-K chain of gas stations and convenience stores.
The Canadian retail firm said it had identified a portfolio of stores that could be divested to appease regulators, and was ready to begin collaborative work on such a sale.
Couche-Tard’s Monday comments come just after Seven & i issued an open letter expressing optimism that the two will be able to overcome regulatory hurdles to a potential merger.
The Japanese firm has increased its engagement with Couche-Tard after a $55 billion bid- led by Seven & i’s founding Ito family- fell apart last month.
Seven & i was also pressured by a major shareholder to pursue the Couche-Tard takeover to unlock more value.