Asda confirms plans to buy 132 Co-ops as part of plans to open corner shops
ASDA has confirmed plans to open buy 132 Co-op sites across the country.
The supermarket giant said the move is part of its plans to open more local, convenience stores.
The deal includes 129 retail sites with attached petrol stations, plus three development sites.
Around 2,300 workers currently employed by Co-op stores will transfer to Asda's employment following the completion and transition period.
Asda say its new stores will be located nationwide and will see the supermarket create "new and distinct format in the convenience market."
The Sun has approached Asda for the full list of Co-ops included in the plans.
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Mohsin Issa, co-owner of Asda, said: “We have always been clear in our ambition to grow Asda and are hugely excited to create this new and distinct part of our business, giving us the opportunity to bring Asda value in fuel and groceries to even more customers and communities across the UK."
Asda will pay £438 million in cash and take on around £162 million of lease liabilities as part of the deal.
The final amount set to be confirmed on completion later this year.
The Co-op Group say the petrol forecourts being sold to Asda make up 5% of its retail estate, which contains 2,564 stores.
Earlier this month, Asda announced it is to remove the "best before" dates from almost 250 fresh fruit and vegetable products from tomorrow.
Co-op also announced it was to scrap use-by dates on its yogurts.
It comes after Waitrose and Marks and Spencer removed the dates form hundreds of fresh products.
Tesco lead the way when it got rid of them in from more than 100 items in 2018.
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