Australian retailer Woolworths has been made a joint buyout bid for its AIW independent wholesalers division by two independent supermarket groups – Queensland’s United Star Supermarkets and Victoria-based Food-way.

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Woolworths last week announced it was planning to withdraw from wholesale distribution after it lost a key buyer, FoodWorks Supermarket Group, to rival supplier Metcast Trading.


United Star opera rates the 5-Star retail group in four states. CEO Geoff Ashton said he would work to minimise disruption to supplies, and that if negotiations were successful, independent retailers would own and operate their own warehouse.

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