The Co-operative Group has moved to play down speculation linking it with fellow UK retailer Somerfield.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Co-op chief executive Peter Marks said this week that the company would consider making a bid for Somerfield, should the retailer come up for sale.
A spokesman for the Co-op said the company is looking to grow its food business but said its focus was on bedding down last year’s merger with United Co-operatives.
“It is no secret that the group is looking to grow its business by acquisition and as a consequence we are frequently linked to speculation involving different retailers. Somerfield is a case in point,” the spokesman told just-food.
“If an appropriate opportunity arose we may well look at the business – as we would at other retail businesses. That said, our immediate priority is the integration of our business following the merger between the group and United Co-operatives.”
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 GlobalDataEarlier this week, the Co-op posted what it described as “solid” results over Christmas and the New Year. The company booked a 3.3% rise in like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to 5 January.
