Asda has appointed advisers to look at a possible purchase of rival multiple Somerfield, says today’s Times newspaper.
The report says Asda has engaged Lazard to look at a possible bid for the group, which could sell for up to £2.5bn, as part of its bid to close the gap on Tesco.
Asda may be interested in all of Somerfield’s 955 stores, or possibly just a package.
Somerfield was revealed last week to have put itself up for auction.
Other multiples in the frame include Waitrose and the Co-operative Group.
