16/10/97
Safeway's reputation is dented by the revelation it has held merger talks with Asda, which claims it would have emerged as the dominant partner.
14/11/97
Safeway's name is again linked with its namesake in the US, and with Morrisons.
16/5/98
Safeway denies reports that chief executive Colin Smith has been visiting Asda stores and a London legal firm with Asda chief executive Allan Leighton. One source reports seeing an itinerary for Asda store visits by Smith and Leighton. The City is convinced a merger is inevitable.
23/5/98
Sainsbury and Asda are linked as joint partners in a bid for Safeway. The rumour is slammed as untrue by Safeway.
3/11/01
Reports that Wal-Mart has been stalking Safeway with a view to an eventual takeover are greeted with scepticism on both sides of the Atlantic. Many believe that its next foray into Europe will be in France.
25/5/02
Rumours Asda is preparing to launch a bid for Safeway continue to circulate, but experts insist it could not do any deal without first finding a suitable partner to help it break up Safeway in order to get round competition rules.
9/9/02
Safeway denies it is in discussions with a third party regarding a possible offer for the company. Wal-Mart is rumoured to be plotting a £2.8bn takeover.
24/9/02
Asda and Sainsbury are reported to have held talks about a possible £3bn joint bid and how to carve up the estate; Asda would take on Safeway's bigger stores and Sainsbury its portfolio of high street outlets especially in Scotland.
19/10/02
Chief executive Carlos Criado-Perez tells the annual IGD convention: "We are doing our best to remain an independent and successful company." Safeway chairman David Webster hints he feels the competition authorities will block any deal for his chain.
28/10/02
Press reports reveal ex-Asda boss Allan Leighton is working on a £3bn bid for Safeway with the Royal Bank of Scotland to buy the multiple and sell its stores off piecemeal to Asda, Sainsbury and Morrisons.
9/1/03
Morrisons surprises the City by making a £2.9bn cash and shares bid for Safeway.
13/1/03
Sainsbury trumps Morrisons when it announces it is considering a £3.5bn cash/shares bid.
14/1/03Wal-Mart announces it is considering an all-cash bid.
{{ANALYSIS }}
Safeway's reputation is dented by the revelation it has held merger talks with Asda, which claims it would have emerged as the dominant partner.
14/11/97
Safeway's name is again linked with its namesake in the US, and with Morrisons.
16/5/98
Safeway denies reports that chief executive Colin Smith has been visiting Asda stores and a London legal firm with Asda chief executive Allan Leighton. One source reports seeing an itinerary for Asda store visits by Smith and Leighton. The City is convinced a merger is inevitable.
23/5/98
Sainsbury and Asda are linked as joint partners in a bid for Safeway. The rumour is slammed as untrue by Safeway.
3/11/01
Reports that Wal-Mart has been stalking Safeway with a view to an eventual takeover are greeted with scepticism on both sides of the Atlantic. Many believe that its next foray into Europe will be in France.
25/5/02
Rumours Asda is preparing to launch a bid for Safeway continue to circulate, but experts insist it could not do any deal without first finding a suitable partner to help it break up Safeway in order to get round competition rules.
9/9/02
Safeway denies it is in discussions with a third party regarding a possible offer for the company. Wal-Mart is rumoured to be plotting a £2.8bn takeover.
24/9/02
Asda and Sainsbury are reported to have held talks about a possible £3bn joint bid and how to carve up the estate; Asda would take on Safeway's bigger stores and Sainsbury its portfolio of high street outlets especially in Scotland.
19/10/02
Chief executive Carlos Criado-Perez tells the annual IGD convention: "We are doing our best to remain an independent and successful company." Safeway chairman David Webster hints he feels the competition authorities will block any deal for his chain.
28/10/02
Press reports reveal ex-Asda boss Allan Leighton is working on a £3bn bid for Safeway with the Royal Bank of Scotland to buy the multiple and sell its stores off piecemeal to Asda, Sainsbury and Morrisons.
9/1/03
Morrisons surprises the City by making a £2.9bn cash and shares bid for Safeway.
13/1/03
Sainsbury trumps Morrisons when it announces it is considering a £3.5bn cash/shares bid.
14/1/03Wal-Mart announces it is considering an all-cash bid.
{{ANALYSIS }}
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