Competition and Markets Authority
This coverage examines the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) interventions and decisions affecting the UK retail sector, focusing on mergers, market investigations, pricing policies, and consumer protections. Reporting highlights how regulatory actions influence retail competition, compliance obligations, and strategic planning — offering insight for executives, legal counsel, and professionals navigating regulatory risks and market oversight.
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May- 2023 -16 MaySupermarkets
CMA to investigate competition failure among supermarkets
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that it will be “stepping up” its work in the grocery sector to see whether any failure in competition is contributing to grocery prices being higher than they would be in a “well-functioning” market. This comes as cost-of-living pressures have grown, and…
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2 MaySupermarkets
CMA urged to investigate ‘profiteering’ supermarkets amid high inflation
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate “profiteering” supermarkets after food price inflation hit a record high in April. According to The Guardian, analysis by the Lib Dems found that the cost of a typical weekly shop has risen by nearly £12, or…
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Apr- 2023 -27 AprilSupermarkets
Asda and EG merger threatens food supply and jobs, says GMB
The merger between Asda and petrol forecourt business EG Group will threaten the UK’s food supply, fuel prices and 100,000 jobs, the GMG union told the trade secretary Kemi Badenoch in a letter. In the letter, the union pointed out that Asda’s debts are already thought to be more than…
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18 AprilHealth & Beauty
Well Pharmacy acquires Lexon wholesaler
Bestway Group subsidiary Well Pharmacy has announced the acquisition of Lexon UK Holdings and Asurex Limited, pharmaceutical wholesalers for an undisclosed sum. Lexon is a family-owned business which has been in operation for over 25 years. It operates “primarily” as a pharmaceutical wholesaler serving 3,000 retail pharmacy customers across the…
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Mar- 2023 -15 MarchNews
Asda’s purchase of Co-op’s petrol stations could increase prices, CMA finds
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has revealed that Asda’s acquisition of 132 petrol stations owned by Arthur Foodstores Limited could cause competition concerns in 13 UK locations. Arthur is a special purpose transaction vehicle created by Co-operative Group Limited, the Co-op, to sell its 132 petrol stations, with attached…
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Feb- 2023 -1 FebruarySupermarkets
CMA launches supermarket pricing review
The CMA is set to review unit pricing practices online and instore within the grocery sector, after deciding that customers “need confidence that they have the right information to make great choices and are getting fair deals”. Unit pricing shows how much a particular product costs by weight or volume,…
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Jan- 2023 -18 JanuarySupermarkets
Inquiry launched into Asda’s takeover of Co-op forecourt business
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Asda’s acquisition of Co-op’s petrol forecourt business. Last year, Co-op agreed to sell the business to Asda in a £600m deal. The transaction included 132 grocery retail sites with attached petrol stations. At the time, Asda said the move…
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Dec- 2022 -20 DecemberSupermarkets
Morrisons to close 132 McColl’s stores
Morrisons has announced plans to close 132 McColl’s stores over the year as these stores have “no realistic prospect” of achieving a breakeven position in the medium term, putting around 1,300 McColl’s colleagues at risk of redundancy. Every affected colleague will be offered alternative employment at a nearby McColl’s store,…
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Nov- 2022 -8 NovemberSupermarkets
Asda opens first ‘Asda Express’ convenience store
Asda has opened its first standalone ‘Asda Express’ convenience store in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, creating 17 new jobs in the local community. A second Asda Express store will open at Tottenham Hale next month, followed by 30 sites next year, creating circa 500 new jobs. The launch…
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Oct- 2022 -31 OctoberSupermarkets
Asda completes Co-op petrol station deal
Asda has completed the acquisition of 132 grocery retail sites with attached petrol stations from the Co-op for a value of £600m. It is reported that the acquisition, which was initially announced in late August 2022 for a cash value of £438m, includes 129 “high-quality” existing sites across the UK…
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