Retailers and consumer pressure groups all submitted formal submissions to the Office of Fair Trading on Friday, reported The Business.
The Consumers’ Association threw its support behind Morrisons, arguing that a “fourth aggressive player in the market would strengthen consumer choice and ensure consumers have as competitive a market as possible."
The paper added that Waitrose has recommended that the OFT refers all potential bidders for Safeway to the Competition Commission, even if that means destroying Morrisons bid, which lapses in the event of a referral.
The National Consumer Council - an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry - also argues that all bidders should be referred, given that the structure of the grocery business is about to change.
The NCC said a takeover of Safeway by Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury would "open up a considerable gap between these three and the remaining small competitors".
It added that it wants to protect people in deprived areas, avoid the risk of further reducing shoppers’ choice with local monopolies and prevent increasing the market power of the three main players.
The Transport and General Workers' Union has thrown its weight behind Sainsbury's bid for Safeway, The Observer wrote.
The TGWU, whose members are employed across the entire supply chain from farming through to distribution and catering, has written to the OFT explaining that it supports Sainsbury’s due to the supermarket chain’s support for its suppliers.
It acknowledges that the Morrisons offer is a good geographical fit, but the union believes that Safeway shareholders will want more money than the £2.5bn Morrisons is offering.
Marks and Spencer has approached Asda about buying some stores if the US-owned group succeeds with a bid for rival Safeway, The Sunday Times said citing a source close to the talks.
M&S, which is looking to expand its food operations, has been in touch with Asda to express its desire to buy a number of stores. Justin King, head of food retail at M&S, used to work for Asda.
Staff at Safeway have sold millions of share options in the retailer, pocketing payouts of up to £42,000 each, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
Shares in Safeway have risen sharply as the six-way takeover battle has intensified. In total, Safeway staff have sold more than 6.4 million shares since the supermarket chain said it was in talks with Morrisons. The paper said the share sales will increase fears that the Safeway share price has peaked.
The Consumers’ Association threw its support behind Morrisons, arguing that a “fourth aggressive player in the market would strengthen consumer choice and ensure consumers have as competitive a market as possible."
The paper added that Waitrose has recommended that the OFT refers all potential bidders for Safeway to the Competition Commission, even if that means destroying Morrisons bid, which lapses in the event of a referral.
The National Consumer Council - an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry - also argues that all bidders should be referred, given that the structure of the grocery business is about to change.
The NCC said a takeover of Safeway by Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury would "open up a considerable gap between these three and the remaining small competitors".
It added that it wants to protect people in deprived areas, avoid the risk of further reducing shoppers’ choice with local monopolies and prevent increasing the market power of the three main players.
The Transport and General Workers' Union has thrown its weight behind Sainsbury's bid for Safeway, The Observer wrote.
The TGWU, whose members are employed across the entire supply chain from farming through to distribution and catering, has written to the OFT explaining that it supports Sainsbury’s due to the supermarket chain’s support for its suppliers.
It acknowledges that the Morrisons offer is a good geographical fit, but the union believes that Safeway shareholders will want more money than the £2.5bn Morrisons is offering.
Marks and Spencer has approached Asda about buying some stores if the US-owned group succeeds with a bid for rival Safeway, The Sunday Times said citing a source close to the talks.
M&S, which is looking to expand its food operations, has been in touch with Asda to express its desire to buy a number of stores. Justin King, head of food retail at M&S, used to work for Asda.
Staff at Safeway have sold millions of share options in the retailer, pocketing payouts of up to £42,000 each, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
Shares in Safeway have risen sharply as the six-way takeover battle has intensified. In total, Safeway staff have sold more than 6.4 million shares since the supermarket chain said it was in talks with Morrisons. The paper said the share sales will increase fears that the Safeway share price has peaked.
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