Temasek Weighs Options for Stake in Retailer A.S. Watson

(Bloomberg) -- Singapore state investment firm Temasek Holdings Pte is exploring options for its stake in global retailer A.S. Watson Group, including a partial sale, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Temasek is working with an adviser to consider possibilities for its 25 percent holding in A.S. Watson after receiving some preliminary interest, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. It bought the stake in A.S. Watson, which is a unit of Hong Kong tycoon Victor Li’s CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., for HK$44 billion ($5.6 billion) in 2014.

A.S. Watson has more than 14,500 stores in 24 markets, including its Superdrug chain in the U.K. and Rossmann pharmacies in Germany, according to its website. It also runs the Watsons chain of health-care and beauty shops across Asia, as well as groceries, electronics shops and wine stores in its home market of Hong Kong.

Deliberations are at an early stage, and there’s no certainty they will lead to a transaction, the people said.

A spokesman for the Singapore state investment firm said Temasek doesn’t comment on rumors or speculation. Representatives for CK Hutchison couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

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