M&A wrap: Ingram Content said to eye big peer

A publishing trade publication says Ingram Content Group has approached an Illinois-based holding company about buying fellow wholesaler Baker & Taylor — a move that has led to the Federal Trade Commission asking some book industry stakeholders about possible consequences.

Shelf Awareness this week reported the FTC’s interviews are part of a preliminary investigation into a possible Ingram Content acquisition of Baker & Taylor, which is owned by educational services company Follett. Both companies declined to comment to the industry pub but a number of booksellers are wary of a deal that would leave La Vergne-based Ingram Content as the only national book distributor.