The Co-operative Group could seal the deal to buy rival Somerfield as early as next week, according to the Sunday Express.
The deal is worth up to £2bn and both sides have been working to forestall any competition objections from the Office of Fair Trading that may arise from the merger.
Buying Somerfield’s 900 stores will make the Co-op the UK’s fifth largest grocery with an 8% market share.
However, the Co-op is expected to sell some larger stores on to rivals including Asda and Morrisons.
