Skip to content

CFDs are leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your deposits, so please consider our Risk Disclosure Notice and ensure that you fully understand the risks involved. CFDs are leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your deposits, so please consider our Risk Disclosure Notice and ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

Sainsbury's and Asda supermarket merger blocked by competition watchdog

Upon the disapproval from Britain’s competition watchdog, both supermarkets have ‘mutually agreed to terminate the transaction’.

Sainsbury Source: Bloomberg

Britain’s competition watchdog has blocked the merger of supermarket giants Sainsbury's and Asda, stating that the marriage would have resulted in lesser product options and higher prices in groceries.

‘The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has blocked the Sainsbury's-Asda merger after finding it would lead to increased prices in stores, online and at many petrol stations across the UK,’ the regulator said in a statement.

The transaction would also result in a ‘substantial lessening’ of competition both on a national level and a local level, the CMA said.

Upon the disapproval from Britain’s competition watchdog, both supermarkets have ‘mutually agreed to terminate the transaction’.

A year ago, Sainsbury's and Asda revealed plans to a merger, in a bid to challenge and get ahead of Tesco, a British multi-national groceries and general merchandise retailer.

The deal was to have Sainsbury's acquiring a majority share of 58% in the combined group and Walmart taking up the balance.

In the report, the CMA said that shoppers in the United Kingdom (UK) and motorists would be worse off if Sainsbury's and Asda - two of the country's largest supermarkets - were to merge, argued the CMA, due to expected increases in prices of items, reductions in the quality and range of products available, as well as a poorer overall shopping experience.

Even though both supermarket giants have now taken the merger off the table, Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe contended with the CMA’s views in a statement, stating that that the merger sought to ‘lower prices for consumers’, and added that the competition watchdog has ignored the 'dynamic and highly competitive nature of the UK grocery market’.


The information on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG Bank S.A. accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer.

Act on share opportunities today

Go long or short on thousands of international stocks with CFDs.

  • Get full exposure for a comparatively small deposit
  • Trade on spreads from just 0.1%
  • Get greater order book visibility with direct market access

See opportunity on a stock?

Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re on to something.

  • Log in to your demo
  • Take your position
  • See whether your hunch pays off

See opportunity on a stock?

Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.

  • Trade a huge range of popular stocks
  • Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
  • See and react to breaking news in-platform

See opportunity on a stock?

Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take your position.

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.