LONDON -- Asda, the British division of Wal-Mart Stores, is considering a bid for rival supermarket operator J. Sainsbury, published reports said. Asda was first looking into whether regulatory agencies would allow a combination before making a bid, according to a Reuters news report Monday. Sainsbury has been the object of attention from private-equity groups since February, when a consortium led by CVC Capital, Blackstone Group and KKR acknowledged they were looking into the company. British competition authorities have set an April 13 deadline for that group to make an offer.
