A big name in retail in the West of Ireland is understood to be eyeing-up another outlet in County Galway – sparking expectation of a supermarket war.

Speculation has intensified locally that Mayo’s family-run Kavanagh Group has made a bid for the former Joyce’s Supermarket outlet in Oranmore.

The Kavanagh Group is based in Westport with 21 stores nationwide, including in Clifden and Moycullen.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission approved the acquisition by Tesco Ireland Ltd of the company that operates Joyce’s Supermarket chain.

It ruled that the British retail giant could purchase nine Joyce’s outlets in Galway, but it would have to sell-off the Joyce’s Oranmore supermarket “to a suitable purchaser”. This is because Tesco already has an outlet in Oranmore.

Galway County Councillor Liam Carroll (FG) said it was his understanding that the Kavanagh Group had bid for the Joyce’s shop in Oranmore.

The Kavanagh Group was contacted for comment.

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