Morrisons on Tuesday (7) acquired 38 stores in the Channel Islands from long term partner SandpiperCI.
All of the stores are currently supplied by Morrisons in some capacity and 19 operate under the Morrisons Daily fascia. The transaction includes six fuel forecourts. The stores are located on the islands of Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney and in the last 12 months the stores being acquired had a turnover of £124.5 million, or £118.9m excluding fuel.
Morrisons relationship with SandpiperCI dates from 2018 when the two companies signed a long-term franchise and wholesale supply agreement. Since then, 19 SandpiperCI stores have been converted to the Morrisons Daily format.
Under the terms of the transaction, operations and managerial colleagues will become Morrisons colleagues. The business will be managed by Joseph Sutton, Morrisons Convenience, Online and Wholesale Director and his team which includes Miles Foster, the Convenience Operations Director.
Morrisons has 1,600 convenience stores across the UK, of which 600 are franchise stores.
Rami Baitiéh, Morrisons Chief Executive, said, “We have had a solid and successful supply and franchise partnership with SandpiperCI and we have a strong relationship with the business. I look forward to welcoming 520 more colleagues into the Morrisons family, together with 38 popular and well-located convenience stores.
“Our convenience business is now well set and growing rapidly. The addition of a further 38 stores will bring us another opportunity for growth and a strong position in the important Channel Islands’ convenience market.”
