News - North West
OFT examining Co-op deal
The Co-operative Group's deal to buy £41m-turnover Scottish convenience retailer David Sands is being investigated by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
The OFT has invited comments on the deal, which was completed for an undisclosed sim.
The sale is set to add 28 outlets in Fife, Kinross and Perthshire to the Manchester-headquartered Co-op's 2,800-strong UK food store network.
David Sands reported sales of £41m in the year to 31 December 2010 and a pre-tax profit of £1.7m.
Almost 700 David Sands' staff are to transfer as part of the deal.
Peter Marks, chief executive of the Co-op, said when the deal was first announced: "This major acquisition is another important step in our plans to expand the Co-operative Food estate."