The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Alimentation Couche-Tard is pursuing an $8.7-billion (U.S.) all-cash takeover of Polish convenience retailer Zabka Group, expanding its presence in one of Europe's fastest-growing economies. The Globe's Nicolas Van Praet writes that this represents Couche-Tard's largest acquisition to date, strengthening its competitive position against 7-Eleven and taking control of a leading, technology-driven retailer. Chief executive officer Alex Miller says, "This transaction, candidly, is like none I've ever done in the 14 years that I've been here." CoucheTard announced Friday a voluntary tender offer for Zabka at 32 Polish zloty ($8.48 (U.S.)) per share, reflecting a 9.4-per-cent premium to the last closing price. Owners of about 57 per cent of Zabka stock are backing the deal and have signed agreements to tender their shares, Couche-Tard said. That includes two major shareholders: private equity firms CVC Capital Partners and Partners Group. Couche-Tard aims to gain control of Zabka by acquiring a majority ownership. If it buys at least 95 per cent of the voting rights, it plans to squeeze out the remaining shares and delist the company from the Warsaw Stock Exchange.