The Competition Commission, the UK’s competition watchdog, has provisionally concluded that the completed acquisition by Somerfield plc of 115 stores and other assets from Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in 14 local grocery retail markets in Great Britain.
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Somerfield and other interested parties have until 16 August 2005 to respond to these provisional findings before the commission takes its final decision.
“We identified stores in 14 areas where we have provisionally found that the acquisition is expected significantly to reduce competition resulting in higher prices, or reductions in quality, range or service,” said enquiry chairman Christopher Clarke. “We believe the only effective means of restoring competition in these areas is for the identified stores to be sold to a suitable grocery retailer who will offer choice and actively compete in the relevant local markets.
