Sainsbury's has announced plans to acquire 10 leasehold stores from Homebase for approximately £130 million, aiming to convert them into new supermarkets. This acquisition will enhance Sainsbury's presence across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, adding around 235,000 square feet of trading space and allowing nearly 400,000 additional people to be within a ten-minute drive of a Sainsbury's store. The deal is part of Sainsbury's 'Next Level Sainsbury's' strategy to expand its market reach and food options. The first of the converted stores is scheduled to open next summer, with all conversions expected to be completed by the end of 2025, creating around 1,000 new jobs in the process. Sainsbury's has committed to interviewing Homebase employees who may face redundancy due to the store closures. The transaction is expected to finalize in early September 2024.