Tesco purchases Isle of Man Shoprite supermarket chain

There are Shoprite outlets all across the island, including Port Erin, Ramsey, Peel and Castletown

A supermarket chain which has served the Isle of Man for more than 50 years has been bought by Tesco.

The retail giant said it would rebrand all nine of the island's Shoprite stores over the next nine months.

Thanking their "loyal" staff, Shoprite's majority shareholders Deryck and Kevin Nicholson said the sale was a "carefully considered" decision.

Tesco chief executive Jason Tarry said the firm was committed to delivering "fantastic value" to Manx shoppers.

He said the team at Shoprite, which first opened in 1972, had "built a fantastic business over many years" and he was "really pleased that we've reached this agreement".

Shoprite is one of the island's major employers and currently sell a mix of Sainsbury's products and fresh produce from local business Robinson's.

'Similar partnership'

Responding to the announcement, Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said he understood there would be "a number of staff at risk outside the stores".

"Whilst any announcements that result in job reductions are never welcome, I am heartened by the commitment from Tesco to retain the majority of staff in the immediate term and invest heavily in the existing store network over the next 12 months," he added.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said: "For many years the Shoprite brand has supported the growth of many local food producers by stocking their product lines, from locally produced meat, fish and vegetables, to ales, wines and spirits across over 150 local suppliers.

"I am keen to see a similar local business partnership continue as Tesco takes over."

There are Shoprite outlets all across the island, including Port Erin, Ramsey, Peel and Castletown.

Tesco previously had one store on the island, which opened in Douglas in 2000.

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