Autogrill primed for acquisitions, reports suggest

Nicole Mezzasalma

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Reuters claims the Italian group wants to buy out Aldeasa and invest in further expansion of its retail portfolio

Several news agencies have reported that Italian group Autogrill not only wants to buy the 50% stake owned by Altadis in Spanish retailer Aldeasa, but also make more acquisitions following its purchase of UK-based Alpha Airports Group. Altadis is currently the target of a takeover bid by Imperial Tobacco, and Reuters has claimed that Autogrill will buy the shares it doesn’t own in Aldeasa if that happens. According to the report, Imperial Tobacco hopes the deal will be concluded by the end of the year, once Spanish regulator CNMV approved the acquisition.

Reuters added that Autogrill chief executive Gianmario Tondato da Ruos said during a Wednesday meeting with analysts that the company was focusing on growth in India, which he claimed had seen a significant increase in airport traffic. "The presence of HMSHost, Aldeasa and Alpha Airports [all owned or partly-owned by Autogrill] will allow the group to fully exploit growth opportunities in the country," he is reported to have said.

Autogrill posted on Tuesday its half-year results - click here to read more.