Somerfield Stores Ltd become a single fascia retailer in February 2006 following the sale of the Kwik Save brand and around 190 Kwik Save stores to investment vehicle – just 8 years after its £473 million acquisition of the discount food stores chain. Some of the remaining Kwik Save stores were retained and re-branded as Somerfield, while the others were sold to rival retailers.
More stores were closed in August 2006 as Somerfield’s latest owners continued their restructuring activity. Some stores were sold to other groups, including Sainsbury’s, which bought 5 stores, while others were closed completely. In November, a further 12 stores were sold to Marks & Spencer to trade under the M&S Simply Food brand in November.