Sainsbury's has made the latest multiple retailer move into the convenience sector, purchasing a family-run chain with stores across the north-east of England.
Sainsbury's has bought the 54-outlet Bells Stores, which spans Teesside, County Durham, Wearside and Tyneside. The fee is said to be in the region of £20 million.
Bells Stores will retain its own management team, its head office and distribution centre. The chain was founded in 1968, is owned and run by the Bell family, and will operate as a separate business unit.
Joint managing director and vice chairman of Bells Stores, Steven Bell said: "We are delighted that we have been able to secure a deal with Sainsbury's that enables us to continue to run our business on the same strong foundations developed over the last 35 years."
Sainsbury's has 66 Local stores and a further 15 in partnership with Shell. It said this is the latest part of its development in the convenience sector.
With Bells on board and the roll-out of its Shell forecourt venture due for completion soon, Sainsbury's will have 220 convenience stores in its portfolio.
Sainsbury's group chief executive Peter Davis said: "This acquisition delivers a highly respected management team and a successful neighbourhood format, strengthening our ability to grow our presence in the convenience market."
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