Amazon.com Inc. reportedly held discussions with U.K. grocers Tesco PLC and J Sainsbury PLC on separate occasions to form a partnership and distribute their products on its platform, Retail Gazette reported May 14, citing the Press Association.
According to the report, Amazon and Tesco were in talks about 18 months ago to explore the possibility of selling Tesco's F&F fashion line on Amazon.com. The grocer reportedly confirmed that the discussions happened but said it led to nothing.
The e-commerce giant also reportedly held talks with Sainsbury's to discuss a similar proposal but was ultimately turned down because Sainsbury's viewed the deal as "competitively disadvantageous," Retail Gazette said.
Amazon's talks with Sainsbury's reportedly took place before it announced its £2.98 billion deal with Walmart Inc.'s British unit, Asda Stores Ltd.
Amazon and Sainsbury's declined to comment, the report said.