WHO WANTS TO TAKE OVER SAFEWAY?
PLAYER	COMPANY SIZE	BID	MARKET SHARE	COMPETITION ISSUES
MORRISONS	Fifth largest UK supermarket chain, turnover �3.9bn.	�2.9bn bid was made but that offer has now lapsed.	6.1% now, more than 15% if it wins Safeway.	The two combined would challenge Sainsbury, and be the biggest in Northeast England and Yorkshire.
SAINSBURY	UK number three supermarket chain, turnover �18.2bn.	Possible bid: �3.2bn in cash and shares.	16.1%.	Combination would be over limit of 25%. Sainsbury is willing to shed 90 stores.
ASDA	The second-ranked UK player, turnover at US parent Wal-Mart �150bn.	Wal-Mart has the financial muscle to fund a �4bn all-cash bid.	16.9%.	Wal-Mart said it might have to sell some of its UK stores to get the deal cleared by regulators.
TESCO	The UK's biggest supermarket chain, turnover �26bn.	Possible bid: cash and shares.	27.1%.	Would control about a third of the market, even after Tesco's plan to sell one quarter of Safeway's stores.
PHILIP GREEN	Tycoon owner of BHS, Top Shop and Dorothy Perkins.	Possible bid: �3.2bn in cash.	Mr Green would have more than 3,000 stores on the High Street.	None, as it would be Mr Green's first move into food retailing.