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Wire · regulatory

CMA flags potential issues in Co-op Group and Southern merger

Published

15 September 2026

Topic

regulatory

Sectors

Retail Tech

Geography

United Kingdom

Source

Read at thegrocer.co.uk

Verified

Fusion42 · 15 September 2026 · Fusion42 review

The UK's Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has identified potential competition concerns in the proposed merger between Co-op Group and Southern Co-op, particularly in local grocery convenience stores and funeral services. The CMA has allowed the parties until 22 September to propose remedies before potentially launching a full phase 2 investigation.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Retail Tech.

◆ The Wire takeaway

The CMA's focus on local market overlaps means you must act fast to propose practical remedies that address competition concerns or risk a prolonged investigation. If you supply or partner with Co-op or Southern in these affected areas, you could face operational delays or uncertainty soon.

Coverage

1 source · 15 Sep 2026

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Topics

Retail Techcmamergercompetitionco-opretailregulation