Private Equity Group In Exclusive Talks With Ukrop’s For Buyout

Grocery industry publication Supermarket News is once again fanning the flames of the “Ukropalypse.” The phrase, coined by many Richmonders on social networking sites like Twitter, came about after speculation of a Harris Teeter buyout last month. The most recent report, however, suggests that Harris Teeter was outbid to purchase the Richmond supermarket chain. So who’s […]

August 18, 2009; 1:29 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

Grocery industry publication Supermarket News is once again fanning the flames of the “Ukropalypse.” The phrase, coined by many Richmonders on social networking sites like Twitter, came about after speculation of a Harris Teeter buyout last month. The most recent report, however, suggests that Harris Teeter was outbid to purchase the Richmond supermarket chain.

So who’s still in the game? According to Supermarket News, an unnamed private equity group is in exclusive talks with the Ukrop family to acquire the 28 area grocery stores.

But don’t run off to the Short Pump Ukrop’s to hoard the Rainbow Cookies, chicken salad and White House Rolls just yet. Sources suggest that if a sale did indeed take place, the equity group would likely retain the Ukrop’s name and values, such as being closed on Sundays and not selling alcohol.

What are your thoughts about the speculation? Leave your comments below.

We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops.