Sponsored By

Sobeys raises $400M in sale-leaseback

Sobeys said Friday it would raise more than $400 million (Canadian) in a sale/leaseback deal with Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust.

May 16, 2016

1 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Sobeys said Friday it would raise more than $400 million (Canadian) in a sale/leaseback deal with Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust.

Under the agreement Sobeys said it would sell 19 retail properties, its interest in three distribution centers and two development parcels to Crombie for $360 million (Canadian), while Crombie would invest $58 million in renovations and expansions for Sobeys properties it already owns.

[CHARTBEAT:3]

Sobeys, Stellarton, Nova Scotia, will concurrently enter into long-term lease agreements with Crombie for those properties.

Sobeys and Crombie are sister companies under control of parent Empire Cos.

CONNECT WITH SN ON TWITTER

Follow @SN_News for updates throughout the day.

Crombie will pay for the transaction by issuing around $93.4 million (Canadian) in new Class B shares for a public offering. Following the transaction, Empire would maintain a 41.5% ownership interest in Crombie.

Sobeys said cash received in the deal would be used to pay down debt.

“This transaction is aligned with our strategic position of providing Crombie REIT preferred access to real estate assets while giving Sobeys access to capital to support our expansion as a leading national retailer,” Marc Poulin, president and CEO, Sobeys, said in a statement.

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like