RNS Number:2837N
Office of Fair Trading
08 July 2003

 FAIR TRADING ACT 1973 - PRIOR NOTICE OF MERGERS

The Office of Fair Trading received on 13 June 2003 a Merger Notice under
Section 75A of the Fair Trading Act 1973 (the Act) in respect of the proposed
arrangements for:

Proposed acquisition by J. Sainsbury plc of 171 Somerfield stores from the "
Springwater" bidding vehicle.

The OFT now gives notice that in accordance with section 75B(3) of the Act the
period for consideration of this Notice has been extended by a further period of
15 working days. The period for considering this Notice will therefore expire on
31 July 2003.


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