The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering a remedies package offered by Co-operative Group Limited regarding its completed acquisition of regional competitor Southern Co-op. The proposed undertakings include selling 15 convenience stores and two funeral homes across local areas in southern England where regulators raised antitrust concerns.
Following its Phase 1 investigation launched in July 2026, the CMA found that merging these major grocery and funeral service providers could reduce competition for local shoppers and families arranging funeral services. In response, both businesses acknowledged the issues, fast-tracked the investigation, and worked constructively with the regulator to offer structural sales to fix the problem.
The CMA has provisionally determined that the proposed store sales are sufficient to address the competitive harm, allowing the regulator to grant conditional approval without escalating the case to an in-depth Phase 2 investigation. The authority will now conduct a formal public consultation on the commitments, seek third-party feedback, and evaluate potential buyers for the locations to ensure fair pricing and choice remain protected in local communities.
