Private equity firm Blackstone is reportedly in early-stage discussions to acquire Retail Opportunity Investments Corp (ROIC), a San Diego-based owner of U.S. shopping centers. ROIC has a market value of approximately $1.7 billion to $2 billion and owns 95 shopping centers spanning about 10.7 million square feet as of June. Blackstone's interest in ROIC follows a period of declining share prices for the company, which primarily owns properties anchored by supermarkets and drugstores. The potential acquisition highlights Blackstone's strategy to capitalize on distressed assets in the retail real estate sector.