Somerfield is offering its managers £5,000 if they succeed in closing down rival Co-op stores. Somerfield has also put up £500 bonuses to all staff if they entice Co-op employees to work at its shops. The bitter bid to grab a bigger slice of the market is outlined in an internal briefing document. It tells managers: "Analysis shows Somerfield underperforming the Co-op in range, cleanliness, store layout and checkout queues." In East Anglia alone, shops at Saxmundham, Southwold and Halstead are among those targeted. Ipswich and Norwich Co-op boss, Richard Samson, said: "It"s disappointing a competitor would stoop to this. It smacks of desperation." Somerfield admitted the document was genuine. Spokesman Pete Williams said: "Food retail is extremely competitive. The Co-op has increasingly been targeting Somerfield customers. In response, Somerfield has energised its managers in stores in direct competition with the Co-op."

NamNews - Wednesday 1st December 2004

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