Tesco and Waitrose in ‘shock merger’ as lorry cab from one supermarket spotted pulling its rival’s trailer
Unlikely alliance follows plans for a £12billion megamerger between Sainsbury's and Asda
SAINSBURY’S and Asda rocked the retail world this week by announcing plans for a £12billion megamerger.
But could two more supermarkets be about to follow suit?
Well, that’s what some have joked after a Tesco lorry was spotted pulling a Waitrose trailer yesterday.
The unlikely alliance took place in Godalming, Surrey.
It’s understood the Tesco driver came to the aid of the Waitrose lorry after it broke down - leaving its trailer blocking a road.
Photos of the scene sparked much mirth after they were shared on Facebook.
One user wrote: “Are Tesco and Waitrose merging? Now all you need now is pound stretchers and Marks and Spencers to merge and it will be called stretch marks”.
Another commented: “Every little helps”.
While another said: “Good on the old boy for helping out.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: "Every day we see examples of our colleagues going above and beyond, helping customers and supporting local communities.
"It's why we say: 'Every little helps'."
A Waitrose spokesperson added: "We're grateful to the driver ... Every Little Helps".
It comes as the deal between Sainsbury’s and Asda triggered fears it will lead to pricier groceries, store closures and job losses.
The proposed deal would see them leapfrog Tesco to become the UK's biggest chain.
Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey warned it risks "squeezing what little competition there is in the groceries market even further".
She said in the absence of proper vetting by regulators, it would be "British shoppers that suffer from rising prices and British workers that may be fearing for their jobs".
The two chains are the second and third largest grocery retailers in the UK. Together they would have 31.4 per cent of the market compared to Tesco's 27.6 per cent share.
It comes as the boss of Sainsbury's was caught singing "We're in the Money" on TV on Monday.
Mike Coupe's outburst came as he waited to be interviewed about the megadeal and his supermarket's shares ended the day up 17 per cent.
The chief exec did not realise his rendition of The Gold Diggers' Song was being recorded by ITV.
He sang: "We're in the money, The skies are sunny, Let's lend it, spend it, send it rollin' around!" It is likely to anger critics who claim the merger will see job losses, store closures and higher prices.
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Mr Coupe said he was trying to compose himself ahead of his interview about the merger.
He later apologised for his "unfortunate" choice of song, which he says was on his mind after he saw it performed in the musical 42nd Street last year.
Sainsbury's said their boss was simply trying to "clear his mind", adding: "To attach any wider meaning to this innocent, personal moment is preposterous."
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