Co-operative / Booker merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Co-operative Foodstores Limited of 15 Budgens grocery stores from Booker Retail Partners (GB) Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 7 April 2016
• Last updated: 5 July 2016 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Retail and wholesale
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 7 April 2016
• Closed: 5 July 2016

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
5 July 2016	Decision published
6 June 2016	Decision announced
12 April 2016	Launch of merger inquiry
7 April to 20 April 2016	Invitation to comment

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

6 June 2016: The CMA has cleared the acquisition by Co-operative Foodstores Limited of 15 Budgens grocery stores from Booker Retail Partners (GB) Limited. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (5.7.16)

Launch of merger inquiry

12 April 2016: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (12.4.16)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

7 April 2016: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

The addresses of the 15 Budgens stores are:

• 30 Market Square, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1JA
• 22-26 Wells Road, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 9AA
• Bishops House, Market Place, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, SL9 9HE
• 23 The Broadway, Crouch End, London, N8 8DU
• Williams Way, Grange Park, Northampton, Northants, NN4 5DY
• 17-21 Jansel Square, Bedgrove, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7ET
• 233 East Barnet Road, East Barnet, Greater London, EN4 8SS
• 1 Bridge Yard, Kingston Road, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1EJ
• Vanners Parade, High Road, Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 7RA
• 39 North Court Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1PJ
• 227-233 Munster Road, Fulham, London, SW6 6BT
• 57-69 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham, London, SW6 4JA
• Lovelace Works, High Street, Ripley, Surrey, GU23 6AW
• 41 Walton Street, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7RR
• 1-7 Tysoe Street, London, EC1R 4SA

Contact

Please send written representations about any completion or public interest to:

Karina Kucaidze
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

karina.kucaidze@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 7 April 2016
Last updated 5 July 2016 + show all updates

1. 5 July 2016

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 6 June 2016

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 12 April 2016

   Launch of merger inquiry..

4. 7 April 2016

   First published.