Yandex is negotiating the purchase of the Azbuka Vkusa supermarket chain, The Bellreports , citing sources. This information was confirmed by two RBC interlocutors.

The deal is necessary for the synergy between ABC of Taste and the fast food delivery service Yandex.Lavka. Both companies focus on a premium audience; Lavka is developing the ready-to-eat food sales segment, in which Azbuka Vkusa has historically been strong. The deal will also allow Lavka to reduce purchase prices by combining purchases with a large retailer.

Russian retailers are now trading at multiples of 5–6 to EBITDA, managing director of Prosperity Capital Management Alexey Krivoshapko told the publication. According to ABC of Taste, last year its EBITDA according to RAS amounted to 3.27 billion rubles. Thus, the company could be worth up to 20 billion rubles. excluding debt.

Yandex and Azbuka Vkusa agreed on a strategic partnership in early June. Yandex.Food will become the only operator of express delivery from the retailer's supermarkets. Azbuka Vkusa explained that they want to concentrate on cooperation with one partner in order to jointly improve the level of service.

Azbuka Vkusa was founded in 1997 by Maxim Koshcheenko and Oleg Lytkin; they now own 42.6% of the retailer’s shares. Another 41.1% belongs to the Millhouse structures of Roman Abramovich and Invest AG of Alexander Abramov.

The Bell: Yandex may buy ABC of Taste