Competition and Markets Authority
On 19 October the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that the Co-operative Foodstores Ltds (Co-op) acquisition of 8 My Local convenience stores gave rise to competition concerns only in Widnes, Cheshire where Co-op already owned 3 convenience stores in close proximity to each other.
On 17 November 2016 the CMA launched a public consultation on Co-ops proposal to sell 2 of its convenience stores in Widnes CGL Hough Green and CGL Farnworth to an approved buyer or buyers. No issues were raised regarding the ability of the proposal to remedy the CMAs competition concerns.
The CMA is satisfied that Co-ops undertakings to sell the 2 convenience stores to an approved buyer or buyers resolves its competition concerns. The merger will not be referred for an in-depth phase 2 investigation. Co-op must now sell the 2 stores within a maximum of 3 months to a buyer that the CMA will approve.
All information relating to this investigation can be found on the case page.