Dollar General reportedly exploring Family Dollar bid

August 5, 2014, 4:48 PM UTC
Dollar Tree To Acquire Family Dollar Stores For $8.5 Billion
HALLANDALE, FL - JULY 28: A Family Dollar store is seen on July 28, 2014 in Hallandale, Florida. Dollar Tree announced it will buy Family Dollar Stores for about $8.5 billion in cash and stock. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photograph by Joe Raedle—Getty Images

Dollar General is reportedly exploring a possible bid for discount retailer Family Dollar.

An offer could potentially disrupt Dollar Tree’s $8.5 billion planned takeover of the retail store, according to a Bloomberg report, which cited people familiar with the matter.

Dollar General is reportedly working with an adviser to figure out its options for a bid, according to Bloomberg. But an anonymous source said there’s only about a 50 percent chance that one will be made.

Last week, Family Dollar agreed to be acquired by Dollar Tree with support from investors Carl Icahn — who purchased a 9.4% stake in the company in June — and Nelson Pelz. The terms of the deal were approved by both companies’ boards of directors, according to Fortune.

If Family Dollar and Dollar Tree were to merge, the combined company would overtake Dollar General in terms of store count.