 Alliance Boots may be in strong demand |
Alliance Boots may be facing a takeover approach from a second private equity group, according to a newspaper report. The potential new move for the chemist and health and beauty retailer is being explored by UK group Terra Firma, said the Sunday Express.
Terra Firma is said to be looking at making a �10bn bid, but both it and Boots have declined to comment.
It comes after Alliance Boots rejected a �9.7bn approach earlier this month from US group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
In turning this down, Boots said it did not reflect "the fundamental value of the company".
Higher offer?
The Kohlberg Kravis Roberts interest is being backed by Alliance Boots' own deputy chairman Stefano Pessina, and the US firm is widely tipped to return with a higher offer.
There has also been some newspaper speculation that a third party may enter the fray for Alliance Boots - fellow private equity group Apax.
Alliance Boots is set to give a trading update on Wednesday.
The Nottingham-based group is best known in the UK for its 2,600 Boots the Chemist shops on the High Street.
But since its �7bn tie-up with Alliance UniChem last year it is now also a major drugs wholesaler, with a 40% market share, supplying more than 125,000 pharmacies, health centres and hospitals.
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