Brazil's top fuel distributor receives 5 partnership bids for stores -source (updated)

Imc SA

02/05/2019 18:39

(Adds shares)
    By Tatiana Bautzer and Gabriela Mello
    SAO PAULO, May 2 (Reuters) - Petrobras Distribuidora SA
 BRDT3.SA , Brazil's largest fuel distributor, has received five
bids from retailers to partner for the operation of its
convenience stores in gas stations, one source with knowledge of
the matter said on Thursday.
    Among the groups that delivered proposals, are retailer
Lojas Americanas SA  LAME4.SA  and restaurant operators
International Meal Company  IMC.WA  and privately-held Sapore,
said the source, who requested anonymity because the talks are
private.
    Mexico's convenience store chain Oxxo, controlled by Femsa
SAB de CV  KOFUBL.MX , also delivered a bid, as well as Sforza
Holding, the family offices that manages the fortune of
Brazilian billionaire Carlos Wizard Martins, which owns
retailers, restaurants and education companies in Brazil.
    Shares in BR Distribuidora were up roughly 3 percent after
Reuters reported on the bids, trading at 24.4 reais on the Sao
Paulo stock exchange.
    BR Distribuidora, as the company is known, has around 8,000
gas stations with its brand throughout the country and only
1,400 stores. One of the partnership goals is to increase the 
number of gas stations with stores. 
    BR Distribuidora, Lojas Americanas, IMC, Sapore and Oxxo did
not immediately respond to requests for comment. Sforza declined
to comment.
    The exact terms of the partnership contract are still under
discussion, the source added.       
    Currently controlled by state-controlled oil company
Petroleo Brasileiro SA  PETR4.SA , BR Distribuidora is expected
to be privatized later this year through a share offering, the
company said recently. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nE6N1XN05G urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N21Y18P

 (Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer and Gabriela Mello
Editing by Marguerita Choy and Diane Craft)
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