JD Sports / Go Outdoors merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by JD Sports Fashion plc of Go Outdoors Topco Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 23 December 2016
• Last updated: 7 June 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Clothing, footwear and fashion
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 23 December 2016
• Closed: 7 June 2017

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
7 June 2017	Decision published
18 May 2017	Decision announced
20 March to 3 April 2017	Invitation to comment
20 March 2017	Launch of merger inquiry
22 December 2016	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

18 May 2017: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by JD Sports Fashion plc of Go Outdoors Topco Limited. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (7.6.17)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

20 March 2017: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted 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 has resulted, or 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

20 March 2017: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (20.3.17)

Initial enforcement order

On 22 December 2016, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Pentland Group PLC (Pentland) and JD Sports Fashion PLC (JD Sports), in relation to the completed acquisition by JD Sports Fashion plc of Go Outdoors Topco Limited.

• Initial enforcement order (23.12.16)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 5 April 2017 (5.4.17)
• Derogation 20 February 2017 (20.2.17)
• Derogation 11 January 2017 (12.1.17)
• Derogation 6 January 2017 (9.1.17)
• Derogation 3 January 2017 (3.1.17)

Contact

mergersupportteam@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 23 December 2016
Last updated 7 June 2017 + show all updates

1. 7 June 2017

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 18 May 2017

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 5 April 2017

   Derogation published.

4. 20 March 2017

   Launch of CMA merger inquiry.

5. 20 February 2017

   Derogation published.

6. 12 January 2017

   Derogation published.

7. 9 January 2017

   Derogation published.

8. 3 January 2017

   Derogation published.

9. 23 December 2016

   First published.