Asda considers bid for Sainsbury's

It is understood that Asda is poised to approach the Competition Commission regarding the feasibility of them making an offer for Sainsbury's.

The UK's second largest supermarket, wholly owned by Wal Mart will be consulting the commission over concerns about possible anti-trust issues relating to the link up of the two major supermarkets. The joining together of these two would provide serious competition for the runaway market leader Tesco.

However, a UK spokeswoman for Asda declined to comment on what she described as 'market speculation'.

Sainsbury's is currently being viewed as a target by a CVC led private equity consortium for a potential bid worth around £10bn, with an approach deadline of 13th April.