Doubts Cast on OFT Tesco Decision Company wanting to buy controversial Tesco site in Slough, Triple A, owned by Abdeali family, say OFT official dismissed their offer on basis of a single phone call, sale of property subsequently referred to Competition Commission, report on decision due next year 04.05.07 Telegraph, Competition Law

Tesco Says Market Is Competitive Tesco's submission to the Competition Commission is combative insistence that grocery market is intensely competitive, 'most shoppers' have 23 outlets within 30 minute drive 03.04.07 Guardian, LegalDay Blog, Competition Law, Planning Law, Retail Law

Pension Deficit Key to Sainsbury Sainsbury's £3b pension deficit needs to be considered in any takeover bid, both an obstacle and an opportunity Financial Times Trustees control fate of business 23.03.07 Financial Times, Capital Markets, Pensions, Private Equity

Tesco Forced to Pay for Bad Fuel Bailiffs yesterday roped off liquor section of Gloucester Tesco, enforcing order to compensate David Bond for 61 litres of contaminated diesel which caused £2300 damage to his van in 2003 07.03.07 Times, Energy Law, Retail Law

Rose Fouls on Sainsbury Remark M&S chief Stuart Rose made rare mis-step in declaring interest in Sainsbury at retail conference, has had to deny substance of remarks to avoid censure from the Takeover Panel, six months before firm can re-enter fray 02.03.07 Telegraph, Capital Markets, Retail Law

Tax and Ethics in Private Equity Sainsbury bid turns spot light onto private equity, once tiny, obscure sector now capable of 'significant' buy-outs, Damon Buffini of Permira, Stephen Schwarzman at Blackstone, Martin Halusa of Apax are market celebrities Times Wellcome Trust would lose substantial income in change to tax treatment of private equity funds 20.02.07 Guardian, Capital Markets, Private Equity

Sainsbury Says CC Figures Wrong Sainsbury's have hit back at the Competition Commission, says CC rejection of projections that Tesco could take 43% of UK grocery trade based on Tesco halting extensions and no longer outperforming, creates 'misleading impression' 08.02.07 Telegraph, Competition Law

Eating Sainsburys Cinven and Texas Pacific Group (TPG) are planning bid for J Sainsbury, will compete with bid being prepared by rival private equity firms CVC Capital Partners, KKR and Blackstone 06.02.07 Times, Capital Markets, Private Equity

Friendly Face of Tesco People want to shop at Tesco, and they want jobs there, super-retailer is re-applying for planning permission at Sheringham in Norfolk, following wide reporting of protests of 'vocal minority', says exhibition of plans drew wide support from 'silent majority' 05.02.07 Telegraph, Planning Law, Retail Law

Inquiry on Supermarket Collusion OFT close to revealing results of secret inquiry into supermarket collusion on setting milk prices Times Next step in CC inquiry into supermarkets will be 'town by town' study of effects of competition on small businesses, no evidence of squeezing suppliers Guardian Tesco talks back, Leahy says inquiry 'more and more about less and less' Financial Times No clear conclusion on 'Tesco town' landbanks 24.01.07 Financial Times, Competition Law