what is the effect that would have on the economy if private equity take over sainsbury?

Answer 1

None whatsoever. Sainsbury's contribution to the UK's GDP is, if I am doing the math correctly, about GBP 2 billion, while the GDP itself exceeds GBP 1 trillion. So Sainsbury's share in the UK's GDP is about 0.2%. Sainsbury's workforce (about 50,000 full-time workers and over 100,000 part-time workers) accounts for about 0.5% of the UK's workforce, even if we don't convert part-time employment into a full-time equivalent. So whatever reductions in headcount may result from the takeover, the impact on the national unemployment will be barely noticeable...