The Competition Commission investigating the Safeway bid plans is expected to give its thoughts next week on the complex bid situation.
The Commission will publish a 'Hypothetical Remedies Statement' outlining the measures that bidders may need to take to win regulatory clearance.
Chairman of the Commission Sir Derek Morris is confident that of meeting the government deadline of August 12, despite the complicated nature of the bidding battle. Sir Derek said: 'Safeway has almost 500 stores, and potentially there could be a competition issue in any one of those areas, so we are having to look at all of them.'