UK supermarket chain Morrisons on Tuesday announced a deal to acquire 38 stores in the Channel Islands from SandpiperCl.

SandpiperCI is a long term partner of Morrisons since 2018, with all of the stores currently supplied by the supermarket chain in some capacity. Some 19 of the stores already operate under the Morrisons Daily fascia, the company said.

The deal also includes six fuel forecourts.

The stores are located on the islands of Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. Morrisons said that in the last 12 months the stores being acquired had a turnover of £124.5m, or £118.9m excluding fuel.

Under the terms of the transaction, more than 500 SandpiperCI store, operations and managerial staff will become Morrisons colleagues with the business to be managed by Joseph Sutton, Morrisons Convenience, Online and Wholesale director and his team.

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.”

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