A TAKEOVER of a handful of convenience stores in Perthshire and Kinross has been cleared this week. The Co-operative Food group was given the green light to snap up David Sands Ltd by the Office of Fair Trading. The acquisition, which is expected to legally complete by the end of the month, will see David Sands shops in Kinross, Bridge of Earn, Argyll Road, Tulloch Square, Oakbank Road and Darnhall Drive, Perth, be rebranded. The group, which has the majority of its outlets in Fife but is headquartered in Kinross, was founded 200 years ago with the town playing a major part in its enduring success. Almost 700 David Sands' staff will join The Co-operative Group as part of the acquisition of the family-run business. The Co-operative Group is the fourth largest food retailer in Scotland with an annual turnover of over £1 billion.