Amsterdam, Sept 18 - Dutch grocer Jumbo has made a 480 million euros ($706 million) bid for bigger rival Super de Boer, the two sides said on Friday, in a move to create the Netherland's second-biggest food retailer.
A deal would step up competition against Dutch market leader Albert Heijn, owned by Ahold, and would be a boost for French grocer Casino, which owns 57 percent of Super de Boer and is looking to raise money to pay off debt.
"The takeover will change the landscape," said Petercam analysts. "The most successful banner of the last five years will more than double in size with an estimated market share in excess of 11 percent."
Analysts said Jumbo was paying a high price, which was likely to deter a counterbidder.
Its 4.2 euros a share offer is 20 percent above Super de Boer's closing price of 3.49 euros on Thursday. Super de Boer stock had already climbed from about 2.8 euros at the start of the month on speculation of an offer.
The price was good news for Casino, which is looking to raise 1 billion euros from selling non-core assets by the end of 2010, analysts said.
"When Super de Boer became fully consolidated in 2008, Casino's group operating margin was negatively impacted by 22 basis points. The sale of the business should therefore be beneficial to margins," Barclays Capital analysts said.
Casino, which runs more than 10,000 stores in 10 countries, said it supported the offer and it would get around 300 million euros for its stake -- higher than the value on its balance sheet.
At 0950 GMT, Super de Boer shares were up 18.8 percent at 4.15 euros. Casino was up 4 percent at 57.7 euros and Ahold, which has about 30 percent of the Dutch grocery market, up 1.1 percent at 8.44 euros.
Petercam analysts said competition regulators might have concerns in some localities, which could lead to the sale of a few stores following the deal.
Super de Boer, the Netherlands' second-biggest food retailer, completed a restructuring in 2007 by selling loss-making stores and streamlining its distribution and logistics facilities.
Earlier this week it reported flat sales of 470 million euros for the third quarter, slightly below analysts' expectations.