Henderson Retail / Martin McColl merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by Henderson Retail Limited of part of the Martin McColl Limited portfolio.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 12 December 2017
• Last updated: 23 February 2018 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Retail and wholesale
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 12 December 2017
• Closed: 23 February 2018

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
23 February 2018	Decision published
16 February 2018	Decision announced
2 February 2018	Revocation of initial enforcement order
12 January to 26 January 2018	Invitation to comment
12 January 2018	Launch of merger inquiry
7 December 2017	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

16 February 2018: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Henderson Retail Limited of the part of the Martin McColl Limited portfolio.

• Full text decision (23.2.18)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

2 February 2018: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA has revoked the initial enforcement order.

• Revocation order (2.2.18)

Invitation to comment: now closed

12 January 2018: 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.

Launch of merger inquiry

12 January 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (12.1.18)

Initial enforcement order

On 7 December 2017, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Henderson Retail Limited and Henderson Wholesale Limited, in relation to the completed acquisition by Henderson Retail Limited of part of the Martin McColl Limited portfolio.

• Initial enforcement order (12.12.17)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Variation order 14 December 2017 (19.12.17)

Contact

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

Rosy Cheetham
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

rosy.cheetham@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 12 December 2017
Last updated 23 February 2018 + show all updates

1. 22 February 2018

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 16 February 2018

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 2 February 2018

   Revocation order published.

4. 12 January 2018

   The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

5. 19 December 2017

   Variation order published.

6. 12 December 2017

   First published.