Ahold Delhaize and Centerbridge Partners have closed the acquisition of New York City-based online grocer FreshDirect after receiving regulatory clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Through the acquisition, which was previously announced on Nov. 18, Ahold Delhaize acquires the majority share, funded by cash on hand, and Centerbridge Partners is a minority equity investor with a 20 percent stake. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
As previously announced, FreshDirect will retain its brand name and continue to independently operate out of its facility in New York City.
“We are very pleased that we can now definitively welcome FreshDirect to our family of great local brands. This leading local online brand, with a large and loyal following, will help us reach additional customers in the New York trade area and further propel our omni-channel evolution. We are looking forward to working with our new FreshDirect colleagues,” said Frans Muller, Ahold Delhaize CEO.
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new era for FreshDirect. Ahold Delhaize will build on FreshDirect’s success ensuring the continued growth of our company, while creating synergy and maintaining the uniqueness of the brand,” said David McInerney, CEO. “I am thankful to our loyal and devoted customers, many of whom have been with us since the beginning, and very proud of and grateful for the FreshDirect team, which has worked tirelessly over the years to make our company a leader in the field. The entire FreshDirect team looks forward to working together with our new Ahold Delhaize colleagues.”
“We are excited to start this new partnership with Ahold Delhaize, in which we can utilize our experience in the interplay between logistics facilities and e-commerce fulfillment in order for FreshDirect to grow further,” said Steve Silver, senior managing director at Centerbridge Partners.
