US buyout firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) has confirmed that it does not intend to make an offer for UK supermarket chain Safeway.
KKR said it was making the announcement following the posting to Safeway shareholders of documentation relating to the proposed acquisition of Safeway by Morrisons via a scheme of arrangement.
KKR said it will not make or participate in an offer for Safeway during the next six months, but added that it reserves the right to do so within that period if the Morrison offer for Safeway lapses or is withdrawn.
KKR said in January last year that it was interested in making an offer for Safeway, but one month later it said it had decided not to pursue the plans, and added that it would continue to monitor the situation and keep its position under review.