A supermarket giant is waiting to hear whether it can add dozens of petrol stations to its growing business.

Bosses at Tesco, which runs a flagship store in Church Road, Hove, are hoping the Office of Fair Trade will allow them to buy 30 petrol stations.

A successful purchase from competitors WM Morrison will boost the number of Tesco convenience stores to 580 in addition to 750 supermarkets.

The one-stop supermarket, such as the Hove superstore, is still regarded as separate from 'top-up' convenience store shopping which can be found just blocks away at the Tesco Express in Palmeira Square.

The distinction between the two is becoming more blurred with Tesco taking a 30 per cent share in the grocery market and six per cent in the 'top-up' market.

Monday, September 5, 2005