Amazon Interested In Buying BJ's Wholesale Club: Reports

WESTBOROUGH, MA — 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, but that was shelved due to concerns about the health of retail, reports The New York Post.

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 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 six locations in New Hampshire: Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth, Salem, Tilton, and West Lebanon.

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.

By Charlene Arsenault/Westborough MA Patch.

Patch file photo