UK supermarket giant Morrisons is set to take over 38 grocery stores in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney after striking a deal with current owner SandpiperCI.

The stores - currently branded Morrisons Daily, Iceland, Checkers Xpress, or Le Cocq's in Alderney - will become part of the UK retail group. However, Sandpiper will retain ownership of its Jersey stores which operate as Marks and Spencer.

Sandpiper says some back office staff may be at risk of redundancy, but more than 500 store employees will become Morrisons staff should the deal be approved by the Channel Islands' competition regulators.

Morrisons CEO Rami Baitiéh said: "We have had a solid and successful supply and franchise partnership with SandpiperCI, and we have a strong relationship with the business. I look forward to welcoming 520 more colleagues into the Morrisons family, together with 38 popular and well-located convenience stores.

"Our convenience business is now well set and growing rapidly. The addition of a further 38 stores will bring us another opportunity for growth and a strong position in the important Channel Islands’ convenience market.”

The sale includes six fuel forecourts and the 38 stores had an annual turnover of £124.5m in the last 12 months.

A Sandpiper spokesperson says the deal is expected to be completed by July 2024.