Daiei Inc.'s decision to seek help from the Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan is widely believed to have intensified a scramble for the retailer's outlets and may result in a major change in power relations in the supermarket industry.

The state-backed IRCJ's takeover of Daiei is expected to lead to the breakup of the retailer and the sale of its core food retailing business to sponsors.

The IRCJ is currently selecting sponsor companies to help Daiei improve its earnings; among prospective candidates are Aeon Co. and Ito-Yokado Co.