Gram Slattery
(Adds information on structure of deal and companies)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Brazilian retailer Lojas Americanas SA and e-commerce company B2W Cia Digital SA are considering merging their operations, the companies said in separate securities filings on Friday.
Lojas Americanas already controls B2W with a 62.5% stake, but has a smaller market capitalization, 41.6 billion reais as of market close on Friday, while B2W closed at 46.6 billion reais ($8.66 billion).
The two companies have for months been announcing measures to create a so-called omnichannel experience, allowing customers to leverage both B2W’s e-commerce platforms and Lojas Americanas’ brick-and-mortar presence simultaneously.
Brazilian retailer Lojas Americanas SA and e-commerce company B2W Cia Digital SA are considering merging their operations, the companies said in separate securities filings on Friday.