Ownership changed hands twice during the 1970s, firstly being purchased by Debenhams, before they sold the business in 1979 to Allied Suppliers, the grocery store concern of Cavenham Foods.
[2] The first supermarket was opened in Bromley in 1958, with branches being added across the South East at a rate of around one a year.
After his death, the Cater family decided to accept an offer of £7 million for the business from Debenhams, in 1973.
[4][5] Debenhams sold the business and its 24 stores to Cavenham Foods subsidiary Allied Suppliers for £9.5 million.
[2][1] Allied Suppliers integrated the new stores into their Presto chain and the Cater Brothers brand was no more.