Wal-Mart to own Halfords?

A report in the Sunday Independent at the weekend that Wal-Mart was about to launch a £6bn takeover bid for Boots the owner of Halfords boosted the Boots shareprice but analysts are downplaying the liklihood that a retailer that has built its success in the US on aircraft hanger-sized stores selling everything from lentils to lawnmowers, would be interested in Boots’s neighbourhood outlets [which] offer little obvious appeal. (The Guardian)

However, cold water was also poured on the idea that Wal-Mart would make a move on Asda.

The article in the Sindy said:

A bid for Boots would give Wal-Mart access to the larger out-of-town stores of Boots’ Halfords subsidiary, which could be converted into supermarkets without the need for local authority consent.