Tesco / Booker merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Tesco PLC of Booker Group plc.

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of referral: 12.7.17

Statutory deadline: 26.12.17

Contact

general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Final report

Responses to provisional findings

Provisional findings

14 November 2017: The CMA has provisionally cleared Tesco’s acquisition of Booker.

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Third party evidence

Interview summaries

Responses to issues statement

Response to phase 1 decision and issues statement

Issues statement

9 August 2017: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Inquiry group appointed

14 July 2017: The CMA appointed the inquiry group on 13 July 2017.

Simon Polito (Inquiry Chair), Gavin Robert, Robert Spedding and Tim Tutton.

Terms of reference

12 July 2017: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Tesco PLC of Booker Group plc for an in-depth phase 2 investigation.

Phase 1

Phase 1 date Action
21 July 2017 Decision published
12 July 2017 Decision announced
30 May 2017 to 13 June 2017 Invitation to comment
30 May 2017 Launch of merger inquiry
30 May 2017 Initial enforcement order

Reference decision

12 July 2017: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Tesco PLC of Booker Group plc for an in-depth phase 2 investigation under its fast track procedure at the request of the merging parties. A copy of the decision is available below.

Fast track application

29 June 2017: Tesco and Booker have requested that the CMA make a fast track referral to phase 2 in its investigation into the merger.

Press release: Tesco/Booker request fast track referral (29.6.17)

Invitation to comment: now closed

30 May 2017: 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

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

Initial enforcement order

The CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Booker Group plc.

Amendments/consents granted

Updates to this page

Published 30 May 2017
Last updated 20 December 2017 + show all updates
  1. Full final report published.

  2. Summary of final report published.

  3. Full provisional findings report and retailer survey report published.

  4. Summary of provisional findings published.

  5. Timetable updated.

  6. Hearing summary published (under ‘Evidence’).

  7. Timetable updated.

  8. Letter added.

  9. Interview summaries published.

  10. Derogation published (under 'initial enforcement order').

  11. Response to issues statement published.

  12. Responses to issues statement published.

  13. Response to phase 1 decision and issues statement published.

  14. Issues statement published.

  15. Timetable published.

  16. Full text of the decision published.

  17. Inquiry group appointments added.

  18. Terms of reference published.

  19. Reference decision announced.

  20. Fast track application announcement added.

  21. First published.