SHOPWORKERS’ union Usdaw has welcomed the Co-op’s £1.56bn takeover of rival retailer Somerfield.
The deal will cement the Co-op’s ranking as the UK’s fifth largest retailer – with sales of £8bn and an 8% market share.
The combined business will have more than 3,000 outlets.
The Co-op has stores across the Huddersfield area, while Somerfield has stores in Milnsbridge and Honley.
Usdaw is the recognised union for both employers.
John Hannett, the union’s general secretary, said: “Usdaw welcomes the planned acquisition of Somerfield by the Co-operative Group. We represent members in both companies and look forward to playing a full part in the discussions on the process of integration.”
Co-op chief executive Peter Marks said the acquisition would provide “rocket fuel” for the group’s growth plans.
Mr Marks said it was likely that competition watchdogs would require the Co-op to sell some of the Somerfield estate, but it was too early say how many.
He said: “We will be working with the Office of Fair Trading to analyse which stores and how we deal with them.”
He said the takeover would bring “very significant” cost benefits, which would be passed on to consumers.
A “limited” number of job losses would also result, but it was too early to say how many.
The Somerfield brand name would disappear after the completion of the deal.
