Silverwater. Metcash may challenge ACCC

Metcash, based at Silverwater, is expected to challenge a decision by the ACCC to block its planned $215 million takeover of the Franklins supermarket chain, claiming the threatened exit of Franklins' owner would only cede more power to industry heavyweights Woolworths and Coles. The ACCC said it believed Metcash's purchase of 85 Franklins stores would effectively give Metcash a monopoly on grocery wholesaling to independent NSW supermarkets. Franklins is owned by South African retail giant Pick n' Pay.