Family Dollar Delays Vote on Dollar Tree Deal

By Chelsey Dulaney 

Family Dollar Stores Inc. has delayed the shareholder vote on its $8.5 billion sale to Dollar Tree Inc. as the discount retailer awaits an update on the extent of divestitures U.S. regulators will require.

Family Dollar said it expects an update by the end of the first week of December on the divestitures that the Federal Trade Commission will require from Dollar Tree to get the deal approved. Family Dollar has pushed back the vote to Dec. 23.

Dollar Tree has said it would be willing to divest of as many stores as possible--or sensible--to get its deal done, and the companies amended their merger agreement to reflect that commitment.

In September, Family Dollar shot down rival Dollar General Corp.'s $9.1 billion unsolicited offer, saying the antitrust risks are too high. The two chains run very similar businesses selling a variety of consumable and household products at a range of prices. Dollar Tree, by contrast, sells everything at a dollar.

Write to Chelsey Dulaney at [e-mail]

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