Legacy supermarket build on c-store arm
Sainsbury has acquired SL Shaw, a five-strong chain of convenience stores in southeast England. The chain's turnover for the year to May 31 last year was£11 million, with a net asset value of£400,000. Some 227 Shaw staff will be transferred to Sainsbury's. The stores will be converted to the Sainsbury's Local format after a programme of refurbishment.

Sainsbury's managing director of convenience Jim McCarthy said: 'These are quality stores in good locations and they fit perfectly with our commitment to grow sales in our convenience business by£400 million by the end of 2008.'

Last year, Sainsbury's made aggressive strides in the convenience market, snapping up Bells, Jacksons and Beaumont. The Shaw deal builds on the grocer's existing 265 c-store portfolio and a command of 1.9 per cent share of the£24 billion convenience market.