According to the Sunday Telegraph, the Co-operative Group, which is the lone bidder for the up-for-sale Somerfield supermarket chain, is in early discussions with rival supermarkets about selling on a proportion of Somerfield stores if its bid is successful.
The chains thought to be in negotiations are Asda and Morrisons, and the article claims that Somerfield's larger rivals are assessing the Bristol-based retailer's 900-strong store portfolio to identify potential add-ons to their own businesses.
The Telegraph also claims that one supermarket chief executive has told its reporter that as many as 200 of the stores could be on the market if the Co-op takes them on.
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