Reacting to the decision of the Competition and Markets Authority to block the proposed merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “This was the right decision by the CMA. From a competition, consumer and supplier perspective, this proposed merger would have been a bad deal”
“Many local suppliers to the grocery sector were extremely concerned that this merger would result in a significant reduction in trade.
“The local grocery market is rapidly changing. Growing numbers of consumers are moving away from the multiples and toward independent retailers.
“More and more consumers are no longer doing a weekly trolley shop and instead switching to a basket shop several times a week with our members.
“Convenience is the top priority for consumers, rather than a weekly trolley shop.
“This is the future of food retailing-not more big stores and less choice for consumers which this merger would have led to.
