Stans Superstore's Andrew Faulks is the third generation of his family to run the business, a model that is far from unique in the ­grocery sector. Family-run businesses dominate the independent sector, wholesaling and even the multiples. The recent private equity speculation regarding Sainsbury's was only stopped by the intervention from members of the family and, although Sir Ken Morrison is loosening his grip on the day-to-day affairs at the supermarket chain, the Morrison family still retains significant control of the business. Almost half the retailers that make up The Top 50 list of independents are family-run businesses, many of which have grown from a single store or depot. These companies, such as Booths, Botterills and Curley's, are happy to build on their reputation of having a family connection to a particular area. So what is the future for the independent family business when the speculation surrounding Sainsbury's demonstrates that even the UK's biggest family grocer could be a takeover target? There are plenty of reasons why families could be tempted to sell. One factor is that younger generations may not be as keen on running a business as their parents. The power of the multiples may also be the catalyst for selling. As the grocery sector becomes more competitive, independents may find offers hard to resist. In the past few years several family-run businesses have fallen into the hands of the multiple grocers or Co-ops. Sainsbury's alone has bought the family-owned businesses of Shaw's Supermarket's, Bells Stores, Jacksons and JB Beaumont. According to Christie & Co head of retail Tony Evans, foreign operators are definitely circling a number of regional grocers in the UK. "The Grocer Top 50 is a great shopping list for them," he says. Over the next few years, many of the UK's leading independents will be faced with the difficult decision of whether to keep it in the family or not.n

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