On paper, Asda’s acquisition of EG Group’s UK and Ireland operations will create a powerhouse with combined annual revenues in excess of £30bn, serving more than 21 million customers a week through 600 supermarkets, 700 forecourts and 100 convenience stores.

But the deal has drawn its fair share of detractors, with some arguing it’s a clever way for the owners to shift debt from EG Group in the face of ballooning interest rates.

Shopworker union GMB has also been critical, saying the owners are trying to force Asda workers to take pay cuts as part of “private equity slash-and-burn tactics” to pave the way for the acquisition.

So what does this acquisition mean operationally and who stands to gain the most?