Coles and Metcash explore options to buy Brighton Foodland

An award-winning supermarket in Adelaide’s south is exploring options to sell after a retail giant offered a “significant amount”.

A retail giant has reportedly offered a beloved seaside supermarket a significant deal that could see the store change hands, leaving local customers saddened by the move.

The Advertiser understands the Coles Group have offered Brighton Foodland “a significant amount of money” to replace the current Foodland with a Coles.

A source told The Advertiser negotiations are still ongoing with the supermarket company.

Shoppers visiting Brighton Foodland in Adelaide say they feel electric shocks while in the store. Picture: Facebook / Brighton Foodland

Metcash – owner of the Foodland brand – are also exploring their options to purchase the store.

Metcash Food chief executive Grant Ramage said they were currently working through all options to protect the store for local shoppers.

“We have been made aware by the retailer of their intention to sell Brighton Foodland to one of the chains, and we are doing everything we can to keep this fantastic store in the hands of independent retailers,” Mr Ramage said.

“Foodland is a loved brand and integral to the South Australian economy.

“Our stores provide a highly differentiated offer to the large chains and are extremely valuable to the local communities in which they operate.

“We believe this is another example of a creeping acquisition that hurts competition in the Australian supermarket industry, and the loss of this store to a large chain would have a significant impact on the local area.”

A Coles spokesperson said that while they do not comment on market rumours and speculations about potential developments, they are “constantly exploring opportunities in our store network to ensure we deliver the best shopping experience for customers.”

Speculation about the possible sale has been circling on community Facebook pages with locals calling the move a “disaster”.

“I shop there regularly and often because it’s SA owned an promotes SA products … I hope that this is not true,” on user wrote.

“So sad if this happens. The staff at Foodland are always so friendly and helpful. It is such a great little shopping centre,” another user wrote.

Brighton Foodland have been contacted for comment.

The precinct underwent a major multimillion-dollar renovation back in 2017 that saw the Foodland turn into a premier destination for shoppers to support local products as well welcoming a number of specialty stores under one roof.