Supermarkets vying for control of takeover target Safeway will this week discover the hurdles they may have to overcome to land the rival chain.
The Competition Commission is expected to publish a statement on Tuesday outlining the hypothetical remedies that could be required from the parties if their proposed bids are later deemed to be against the public interest.
The letter will provide a clue as to whether sector heavyweights Asda and Tesco can bid without having to sell a large number of Safeway's 479 stores.
Sainsbury's and Bradford-based Morrisons are also part of the inquiry, with Bhs owner Philip Green the only potential bidder not to be investigated.
The Competition Commission is due to report its final conclusions on whether the various proposals are in the public interest on August 12.
Monday June 23, 2003
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