Haldanes Stores is fast approaching a deadline to call in the administrators.
The retailer announced its intention to enter administration last week and has a deadline of midnight next Wednesday to appoint an administrator.
The retailer has issued proceeding against The Co-operative Group in the High Court as it claims the supermarket “materially breached key terms of the agreements” following the purchase of 26 Co-op stores in 2009-10.
The Co-op was forced to sell some shops by the Office of Fair Trading following its acquisition of Somerfield.
Haldanes has 26 stores in the UK, 13 of them in Scotland and it employs 600 people.
The administration affects Haldanes Stores and holding company Ruston Retail but does not affect its fledgling discount chain Ugo, Haldanes Group, Haldanes Express or Bakery Products.
Haldanes Stores is understood to owe The Co-operative considerable rent arrears and is believed to be taking action to gain the monies.
Arthur Harris, chief executive of Haldanes Stores, confirmed in a statement that he had called in the administrators and said he was devastated at taking the step.
He added: "Our thoughts are with our employees who find themselves facing an uncertain future, we would like to publicly thank them for their efforts and loyalty during their time with Haldanes.
"We will work closely with the administrator and do our utmost to secure the future of a group of stores in the Haldanes estate."
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