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Forgive me for underscoring my views in the press again but it’s important that we, within the Booker membership, fully support this merger and think about the future of convenience in a few years’ time and where it’s heading. We no longer have the luxury of “independence” we often hear about. You have no commercial independence at all and so the only independence you may be talking about is making your own decisions within the constraints of a larger group - than there is no problem. No one is suggesting that all independent stores will be converted or be forced on by a Tesco agenda. It doesn’t make any commercial sense at all. I strongly believe that we will continue to enjoy the leverage of a larger group and at the same time be part of a successful symbol group.
Consolidation has been accelerated in view of the German discounters taking the market share from all and so we need to understand that these kind of mergers is the only way the convenience sector, not just us within Booker group, but the sector as a whole will survive. The other symbol groups are fully aware of this and their balance sheets heading in the wrong direction in the recent past has proved my very point.
As for the CMA – they only need to look at what the customers are getting out of this deal - More choice, better quality and availability within the larger estate of shopkeepers and most importantly - comparative pricing. I fail to see how anyone can challenge this rational which defines CMA’s own criteria of scrutiny. The supply chain has continued to be blurred in any case over the years and will continue to do so for commercial reasons. Do our customers really care as to who owns what as long as they are getting the above. I don’t think so!!!


Arjan Mehr Londis Bracknell