Safeway’s trading statement tomrrow could prompt a formal bid from the retail entrepreneur Philip Green, The Independent said.
But added that figures might have suffered while the five-way bid battle for the chain’s 480 stores rages on, with customers defecting to rival supermarkets.
Green is the only bidder to have been cleared by the Office of Fair Trading. While Tesco,Sainsbury, Asda and Morrisons - have all been referred to the Competition Commission, which will rule by 12 August.
City analysts told the paper they expect fourth quarter sales to be down around 2% on a like-for-like basis - or 4% below the industry average.
Research firm Taylor Nelson Sofres in the Independent on Sunday said Safeway’s market share fell 4% across its fourth quarter, compared to rivals. Analysts estimates range from a 4% decline in sales to 1% growth to be announced in the crucial statement this week.
TNS data showed Safeway was losing out to Tesco, which has been deliberately targeting Safeway customers with marketing leaflets showing price comparisons.
The Observer reported that Safeway's chief executive Carlos Criado-Perez is determined to stick with his strategy of weekly promotions. And that he will stay with the chain until the takeover situation is resolved.
The Sunday Telegraph said like-for-like sales at Safeway have fallen by almost 2% since the start of the year. And that chairman David Webster will admit that shoppers have deserted his company's stores as the five-way battle for the chain. The paper added that a collapse in sales might prompt Green to walk away from the deal.
But added that figures might have suffered while the five-way bid battle for the chain’s 480 stores rages on, with customers defecting to rival supermarkets.
Green is the only bidder to have been cleared by the Office of Fair Trading. While Tesco,Sainsbury, Asda and Morrisons - have all been referred to the Competition Commission, which will rule by 12 August.
City analysts told the paper they expect fourth quarter sales to be down around 2% on a like-for-like basis - or 4% below the industry average.
Research firm Taylor Nelson Sofres in the Independent on Sunday said Safeway’s market share fell 4% across its fourth quarter, compared to rivals. Analysts estimates range from a 4% decline in sales to 1% growth to be announced in the crucial statement this week.
TNS data showed Safeway was losing out to Tesco, which has been deliberately targeting Safeway customers with marketing leaflets showing price comparisons.
The Observer reported that Safeway's chief executive Carlos Criado-Perez is determined to stick with his strategy of weekly promotions. And that he will stay with the chain until the takeover situation is resolved.
The Sunday Telegraph said like-for-like sales at Safeway have fallen by almost 2% since the start of the year. And that chairman David Webster will admit that shoppers have deserted his company's stores as the five-way battle for the chain. The paper added that a collapse in sales might prompt Green to walk away from the deal.
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