Business & Tech

Market Basket Decision May Not Come Today

Negotiations continue to determine fate of supermarket chain.

By Liz Taurasi

Market Basket officials may not have a decision on the supermarket chain’s fate today as originally thought.

Following last weekend’s negotiations, which included input from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and NH Governor Maggie Hassan, feuding family members said they would work toward having a resolution by week’s end.

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The Boston Herald is reporting talks may continue into the weekend and that both sides are still maintaining they are close to a decision.

Sources told the Herald both parties are still working to meet today’s self-imposed 5 p.m. deadline - which was agreed to after last weekend’s meeting with both governors - but talks could continue into the weekend.

Find out what's happening in Beverlyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Another source told the Boston Globe Arthur T. is expected to make his final bid for the company today. The Globe is also reporting Market Basket’s board of directors is scheduled to meet Saturday to review final bids and discuss the current condition of the company.

Market Basket employees are coming to the end of their fifth week showing their support for ousted CEO Arthur T. Demoulas. Demoulas was ousted in June when a majority of the company’s board shifted in support of Arthur T.’s cousin and rival, Arthur S. Demoulas.

Arthur T. and his shareholders are in negotiations to buy the chain and have made an offer to purchase the other 50.5 percent share of the company. In a statement released last week, a spokesman for Arthur T. Demoulas said, “thus far, his offers have been rejected, not on the basis of price, but with counterproposals that have been laden with onerous terms that are far beyond comparable transactions.”

Neither side has made any public statement on the negotiations this week.

More of Patch’s Ongoing Market Basket Coverage:

(Photo: Market Basket customers rally in Tewksbury on Aug. 16. Photo Credit: Christa Lamb of North Andover)

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