Somerfield, the UK convenience retailer, has stayed silent over local reports that the planned GBP2bn (US$3.9bn) sale of the company has hit the buffers.

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A report in the Times today (20 March) claimed that the Co-operative Group was the only retailer to draw up a full proposal for Somerfield ahead of the 14 March deadline imposed by the company’s owners.


Asda, the UK arm of Wal-Mart, had been mentioned as a potential suitor for Somerfield but has held back from tabling its own offer, the report said.


In January, Somerfield’s owners, Apax Partners, Barclays Capital and property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz, appointed Citigroup to weigh up any offers for the business.


A Somerfield spokesman declined to comment on the claims that the planned sale has hit the rocks. “We do not provide a running commentary,” he told just-food.

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Apax Partners also declined to comment.


Officials at the Co-op failed to return requests for comment as just-food went to press.


Asda could not be reached for immediate comment.

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