The OFT has waved through Sainsbury’s acquisition of the Jacksons c-store chain, despite a concerted campaign of opposition from the independent sector.
Delegations from both the Association of Convenience Stores and the Federation of Wholesale Distributors met with OFT officials urging them to block the deal and to launch a review of the grocery market.
They feared that independent retailers would be driven out of business by unfair competition from multiples such as Tesco and Sainsbury, which have taken over c-store chains including T&S Stores, Adminstore and Bells.
ACS chief executive David Rae said: “We made a strong case to the OFT about the impact of this acquisition on local competition and the grocery market as a whole.
“Consolidation like this threatens to deprive communities of independent local shops. This latest decision hastens the need for a full investigation of the UK grocery market.
“In the absence of action by the OFT, the Government must take responsibility for regulating this market and safeguarding the interests of consumers and communities.”
Sainsbury announced it was acquiring 114-store Jacksons in August, in a deal estimated to be worth about £76m.
Delegations from both the Association of Convenience Stores and the Federation of Wholesale Distributors met with OFT officials urging them to block the deal and to launch a review of the grocery market.
They feared that independent retailers would be driven out of business by unfair competition from multiples such as Tesco and Sainsbury, which have taken over c-store chains including T&S Stores, Adminstore and Bells.
ACS chief executive David Rae said: “We made a strong case to the OFT about the impact of this acquisition on local competition and the grocery market as a whole.
“Consolidation like this threatens to deprive communities of independent local shops. This latest decision hastens the need for a full investigation of the UK grocery market.
“In the absence of action by the OFT, the Government must take responsibility for regulating this market and safeguarding the interests of consumers and communities.”
Sainsbury announced it was acquiring 114-store Jacksons in August, in a deal estimated to be worth about £76m.
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