Green light for McColl’s to buy 298 Co-op stores

The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has given its final and unconditional approval for McColl’s to buy 298 convenience stores from the Co-operative Group. McColl’s announced its intention to buy the stores in July.

McColl’s will begin to integrate the stores in late January and expects all conversions to be completed by the end of August.

Jonathan Miller, Chief Executive of McColl’s, said: “We are delighted that the CMA has approved our acquisition of these 298 quality convenience stores. This is a transformational deal, which substantially accelerates our growth strategy and expands our neighbourhood presence for the benefit of our customers.

“We have a long history and proven track record of successfully integrating convenience stores into our estate, and we expect these newly acquired stores to make a significant contribution to our future strategic plans.”

As previously reported, a substantial number of Co-op convenience stores are now used as parcel shops.

With the addition of the Co-op stores, McColl’s will now have around 1,300 convenience stores across the UK.