The UK’s Office of Fair Trading has decided not to refer the anticipated acquisition by UK supermarket group J Sainsbury of 14 stores from rival Wm Morrison Supermarkets to the Competition Commission.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Sainsbury’s announced in mid May that it had agreed to buy the 14 stores, which comprise 13 Safeway branded stores and one Morrisons store. Sainsbury’s said the stores are located primarily in the Midlands and the north of England.


 “When we announced the sale of Shaw’s, our US supermarket business on 26 March 2004, we indicated that we would use a proportion of the funds generated to develop further Sainsbury’s core UK supermarkets business to strengthen our market position and deliver future growth,” said chief executive Justin King when announcing the acquisition.


“These stores from Morrisons give us a great opportunity to increase our selling space in the UK by over 400,000 sq ft, a little under 3%. Such opportunities have become increasingly rare and we are delighted to secure these stores and look forward to introducing Sainsbury’s products and services to new areas and customers,” he added.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now