Convenience store giant McColls is preparing for a possible takeover of the Tesco-owned chain One Stop.
According to The Telegraph, McColls chief executive Jonathan Miller has expressed his interest in an acquisition of the chain, which experts believe Tesco will be forced to offload.
With the competition authority still to give the green light to the landmark Tesco – Booker Merger, which will see the grocer take control of a vast convenience store estate including Londis and Budgens brands, many experts think Tesco may have to give up its One Stop subsidiary.
Miller stated that he hoped either Booker or Tesco would be forced to dispose of some stores. McColls already holds the title as the UK‘s largest convenience store chain with 1300 stores nationwide, and the acquisition of another successful chain would be a significant boost for the retailer.
READ MORE: Booker sales “best we have ever achieved” ahead of Tesco merger
“Whether it‘s One Stop or a number of stores we would be interested in having a look” Miller said.
“One Stop is very similar to our own model, so we would be the most logical business to acquire it.”
Tesco and Booker have so far attempted to downplay the effect the merger will have on the UK convenience market, arguing that Booker‘s 5436-store empire is not actually owned by the wholesaler but franchised.
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