BRAZIL - According to reports by the newspaper Valor Economico of Brazil, Home Depot, Ikea and Cencosud have expressed interest in acquiring retail chains in order to venture or expand their business in Brazil.

The newspaper cited related sources consulted during the National Retail Federation Convention held in New York from 12 to 15 January.

According to the report, The Home Depot, Ikea and Cencosud have expressed interest in acquiring the operation of BR Home Centers, a Brazilian network formed by the TendTudo and House Show chains.

As usual with this type of publications, Ikea expressed in a statement that it is "investigating investment opportunities in markets where it is not already present."