Asda's owners have tabled a bid to rescue McColl's.
McColl's convenience chain has entered administration, putting the future of 1,100 shops and 16,000 employees at risk. The PA news agency understands Morrisons has also approached PwC, who are advising lenders to McColl's.
A rescue deal would also take on the business as a going concern, absorb its debts of over £100 million and take responsibility for the company's pension scheme. However, Business Live reports the Issa brothers' EG Group, who own Asda, have now swooped in to beat their supermarket rivals to the acquisition.
