Whole Foods buy: Walmart not considering a contest with Amazon

Sources said the firm has not received any rival bids so far

Walmart Stores Inc is not actively considering making an offer for Whole Foods Market Inc , a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

Whole Foods, which has accepted a $13.7 billion offer from Amazon.com Inc , has not received any rival bids as of Friday, a second source said. Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is confidential.

A Walmart spokesman declined to comment on whether the company is considering a bid for Whole Foods. Whole Foods and Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Whole Foods shares have been trading above Amazon's deal price of $42 since the deal was announced last Friday, as stock market investors speculate about the possibility of a higher offer.

 

Walmart has been tipped as a potential bidder for Whole Foods by retail analysts.