COMPETITION COMMISSION INVITES EVIDENCE ON THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF SAFEWAY BY VARIOUS BIDDERS

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt has asked the Competition Commission to look into the proposed acquisition of Safeway by (i) Wal-Mart Stores Inc (which owns Asda Stores Ltd), (ii) W M Morrison Supermarkets plc, (iii) J Sainsbury plc, (iv) Tesco plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

The Commission has been asked to consider whether any of the proposed acquisitions may be expected to operate against the public interest taking into account all matters which appear in the circumstances to be relevant. The Commission has been asked to report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by 12 August 2003. The report will be published at a later date.

The Commission would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by 11 April 2003. To submit evidence, please write to:

The Inquiry Secretary (Safeway)
Room 604
Competition Commission
New Court
48 Carey Street
London WC2A 2JT

Or email: safeway@competition-commission.gsi.gov.uk

The Group conducting the inquiry will be chaired by Sir Derek Morris, Chairman of the Commission. The other members will be appointed soon. Their details will be announced on the Commission's inquiry website http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/safeway.htm shortly.

Notes to Editors:

The reference concerning the proposed merger was made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 on 19 March 2003 (see DTI Press Notice P/2003/173).

Further information and terms of reference can be obtained from the Commission's website at http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/safeway.htm

Group Members

Sir Derek Morris
Professor John Baillie
Mr J D S Stark
Professor Paul Klemperer FBA
Mr Jonathan Rickford CBE
Mr Chris Goodall