MORRISONS is returning to the convenience store market with a pilot scheme and is launching a range of groceries for convenience stores under the revived Safeway name.

The Bradford-based supermarket will pilot a convenience food offer in ten petrol station shops owned and managed by forecourt operator, Rontec.

Four Morrisons Daily shops will open before Christmas and a further six in January. They will be up to 3,000 sq ft in size and will sell branded and Morrisons own brand products.

Morrisons Daily shops will be supplied by Morrisons wholesaler specialist, Palmer & Harvey.

Morrisons is already trialling convenience stores with another forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group.

Morrisons is also developing hundreds of convenience wholesale products for independent retailers, branded Safeway. The range will be available from early next year.

David Potts, chief executive, said:"These are two capital light ways of growing in the convenience food market. By working with well-established partners and reviving the Safeway brand, we are making our products more accessible to more customers."

The Safeway supermarket chain was acquired by Morrisons for £3 billion in 2004 and initially led to the Bradford company's first loss.