Amazon May Buy RI Retail Chain: Reports

By Mike Carraggi (Patch National Staff)

COVENTRY, RI—BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. could be on the market soon, and cyber giant Amazon is reportedly interested in buying the warehouse chain.

The private equity owners, CVC Capital Partners and Leonard Green & Partners, reportedly considered offering BJ's publicly, Last week, it was reported that Amazon was interested in Whole Foods, and this week BJ's, which was purchased in 2011 for $2.8 billion by private investors, reports Fortune. It is expected that BJ's could sell for as much as $4 billion, investors tell the NY Post.

BJ's is based in Westborough, MA. It has 214 clubs and 130 gas stations in 15 states up and down the east coast, employing more than 25,000 in its clubs, call centers, distribution centers and home office. There are three locations in Rhode Island, in Coventry, Johnston, and Middletown. The Johnston location also has a gas station.

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Amazon's recent experimentation with brick and mortar stores, including Amazon Go and bookstores, has made the rumors of the possible BJ's acquisition not particularly surprising. As Fortune reports, Amazon also operates Amazon Fresh, an online grocery delivery and ordering service similar to PeaPod.

Patch file photo

Charlene Arsenault, Patch staff, contributed to this report