Ahold in Talks to Acquire Alliant

Dutch supermarket group Ahold is in advanced talks to buy Alliant Foodservice Inc. of the U.S. for $1.5 billion in cash, plus the assumption of $700 million in debt, according to a source familiar with the deal.

The purchase of Alliant from New York investment firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice, which is expected to be announced early next week, would consolidate Ahold’s position as the world’s third-largest supermarket and retail group. Ahold owns the Giant Food and Stop & Shop chains in the U.S.

The deal also would strengthen Ahold’s advance into food services. Deerfield, Ill.-based Alliant is the No. 3 food distributor in the United States behind No. 1 Sysco Corp. and U.S. Foodservice, an Ahold subsidiary.

Officials for Alliant and Ahold declined to comment on any pending transaction.