CMA begins full review of Kingsmill owner’s planned takeover of bread rival Hovis

Kingsmill and Hovis are the second and third largest bread brands in the UK. Photograph: Premier Foods/PA

The UK competition watchdog has ramped up its investigation into a £75m takeover deal that will result in the owner of Kingsmill snapping up its sliced bread rival Hovis.

Associated British Foods (ABF), which also owns the Primark clothing chain, confirmed plans to buy Hovis from its private equity owners Endless in August, combining the UK’s second and third largest bread brands.