The retail conglomerate has made a bid of $687M to buy up Priceline’s parent company Australian Pharmaceutical Industries.
The offer would net API’s shareholders a 21 per cent premium and according to Wesfarmers, the deal will provide capital and investment to strengthen API’s competitive position, as well as the position of its community pharmacy partners. The acquisition would see Wesfarmers take control of Priceline Pharmacy, Clear Skincare, Pharmacist Advice, Soul Pattinson Chemist and Club Premium.
Wesfarmers Managing Director Rob Scott said the acquisition would also enable the conglomerate to enter the “growing health, wellbeing and beauty sector”. “API would form the basis of a new healthcare division of Wesfarmers and a base from which to invest and develop capabilities in the health and wellbeing sector,” Scott said.
“The combination of Wesfarmers and API is a compelling opportunity to capitalise on API’s strengths and positioning in these markets while drawing upon Wesfarmers’ capabilities in retail and distribution, our strong balance sheet and our willingness to invest in our business for growth over the long term,” he continued.
