Morrisons’ takeover of McColl’s closer to being cleared amid shop sale plan

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Morrisons’ takeover of McColl’s is expected to be cleared after the supermarket giant told regulators it would sell 28 convenience stores to push the move through. However, the Competition and Markets Authority last month raised concerns over 35 locations where it saw the potential for reduced competition between McColl’s, Morrisons and Motor Fuel Group – which is owned by Morrisons’ parent firm – stores. On Monday, the watchdog said it is now proposing to accept an offer from Morrisons to sell 28 McColl’s stores to address the concerns over local competition. “If, after reviewing the responses to our consultation, we conclude that the competition issues have been addressed, the deal will be cleared.” While the number of McColl’s stores that Morrisons is proposing to sell is lower than the number of areas where concerns were originally identified, the CMA said the sale of some stores would address the concerns in multiple locations.