Vision Express / Tesco Opticians merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Vision Express (UK) Limited of Tesco Opticians.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 2 August 2017
• Last updated: 17 November 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Retail and wholesale
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance with undertakings in lieu
• Opened: 2 August 2017
• Closed: 17 November 2017

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
15 November 2017	Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
20 October 2017	Decision published
28 September 2017	Decision announced
2 August to 16 August 2017	Invitation to comment
2 August 2017	Launch of merger inquiry

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

15 November 2017: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated acquisition by Vision Express (UK) Limited of Tesco Opticians. A copy of the undertakings and the decision are available below.

• UIL acceptance decision (17.11.17)
• Final undertakings (15.11.17)

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: now closed

20 October 2017: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the anticipated acquisition by Vision Express (UK) Limited of Tesco Opticians.

• Notice of consultation (20.10.17)
• Proposed undertakings (20.10.17)

CMA to consider undertakings offered

11 October 2017: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Vision Express, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Decision that undertakings might be accepted (20.10.17)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

28 September 2017: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (20.10.17)
• Press release: Opticians merger could lead to worse deal for some customers (28.9.17)

Invitation to comment: closes 16 August 2017

2 August 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

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

• Commencement of initial period notice (2.8.17)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to:

mergersupportteam@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 2 August 2017
Last updated 17 November 2017 + show all updates

1. 17 November 2017

   Undertakings in lieu acceptance decision published.

2. 15 November 2017

   Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted.

3. 20 October 2017

   Full text decision and decision that undertakings might be accepted published and consultation launched.

4. 11 October 2017

   CMA to consider undertakings update added.

5. 28 September 2017

   Decision announced: Reference unless undertakings accepted.

6. 2 August 2017

   First published.