Complex sentence: Fierce competition in the 1980s and the choice to not acquire new stores saw the chain struggle, and in 1988 it was merged with the rival "Payless DIY" chain, owned by the Boots Group.
Split into simpler sentences: Fierce competition in the 1980s, and the choice to not acquire new stores saw the chain struggle. In 1988, it was merged with the rival "Payless DIY" chain, owned by the Boots Group.