Drivers could face higher prices or less choice as a result of Asda's £600m deal to buy 132 petrol stations from the Co-op, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was warned.
The judgement comes after an official inquiry was launched into the deal in January after the transaction was completed towards the end of last year and saw 2,300 workers move over to the supermarket giant.
In August 2022, the Co-op first revealed plans to sell its petrol stations and attached convenience stores in a bid to bolster its finances. READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter The Co-op said proceeds from the sale will be reinvested into its core convenience shops, pricing, stores operations and reducing its debt burden.
In October, Asda said the CMA had already issued an initial enforcement order, meaning the Co-op sites must remain separate until any probe is completed.
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