Somerfield may have to sell 14 stores

The Competition Commission could force Somerfield to sell 14 of its 115 former Safeway supermarkets that it bought from Wm Morrison last year.

The 14 stores identified following Somerfield’s acquisition might result in a “substantial lessening of competition” in 14 local grocery markets. Christopher Clarke, chairman of the inquiry, said: “We have identified stores in 14 areas where we have provisionally found that the acquisition is expected significantly to reduce competition resulting in higher prices, or reduction in quality, range or service.”
The stores are in Bedlington, Filey, Johnstone, Kelso, Littlehampton, Middlesbrough Linthorpe, Newark, Paisley, Peebles, Pocklington, Poole Bearwood, South Shields, Whitburn and Yarm.

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