Competition and Markets Authority
This coverage examines the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) interventions and decisions affecting the UK retail sector, focusing on mergers, market investigations, pricing policies, and consumer protections. Reporting highlights how regulatory actions influence retail competition, compliance obligations, and strategic planning — offering insight for executives, legal counsel, and professionals navigating regulatory risks and market oversight.
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Dec- 2020 -8 DecemberOnline & Digital
Studio exploring sale options as profits surge 52%
Studio Retail Group (SRG) has announced it is exploring sales options after seeing half-year profits increase 52% to £17.7m. For the 26-week period ending 25 September, Studio revealed that profits were boosted by a 17% increase in revenues to £268m up from £228.7m in 2019. It also revealed its active…
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Nov- 2020 -18 NovemberCoronavirus
Asda gears up for ‘record Christmas’ as Q3 sales rise 2.7%
Asda has revealed it is gearing up for a “record Christmas” after it revealed its like-for-like sales increased by 2.7% YOY. The trading quarter for the three months ending 30 September, which coincided with the end of the first UK-wide lockdown and the re-opening of the hospitality sector, saw growth…
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16 NovemberDepartment Stores
JD Sports enters race for Debenhams
JD Sports has reportedly entered the race to acquire embattled department store Debenhams, and has been granted access to Debenhams’ finances in a secure data room. According to The Telegraph, JD Sports has emerged as a potential contender after being given access to Debenhams’ finances within the last fortnight. One…
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16 NovemberSport & Leisure
Tribunal reverses CMA’s block of JD Sports’ Footasylum takeover
The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has overturned the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) decision to block JD Sports’ acquisition of Footasylum. In its ruling, the CAT said the CMA “acted irrationally” in its decision-making and failed to provide the essential evidence needed to block the takeover. Following this result, JD…
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Sep- 2020 -7 SeptemberSupermarkets
Asda future could be decided this week as takeover deadline looms
The future of ‘Big Four’ grocer Asda could be decided as early as this week, as rival private equity firms reportedly finalise their bids. According to The Telegraph, bids for the grocer, which is valued at around £6.5bn, are due today (Monday 7 September) with private equity firms Apollo Global…
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Aug- 2020 -21 AugustHigh Street
Ex-Asda and Debenhams chiefs in rival £6.5bn bids for Asda
Retail bosses Paul Mason and Rob Templeman are reportedly set to launch rival £6.5bn bids for supermarket giant Asda. According to Sky News, the former Asda and Debenhams chief executives are being lined up to front bids from Apollo Global Management and Lone Star Funds respectively. It comes after Walmart,…
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5 AugustOnline & Digital
CMA clears Amazon’s Deliveroo investment
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Amazon’s 16% investment in Deliveroo, after finding that it will not “substantially lessen competition”. Under the deal, Amazon will acquire 16% of Deliveroo as the lead investor in a $575m (£438m) funding, which was first announced last year. At that point the…
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Jun- 2020 -25 JuneM&A
Amazon’s proposed stake in Deliveroo cleared by CMA
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared Amazon’s 16% investment in Deliveroo for the second time, on the basis that it is not likely to result in a “substantial lessening of competition”. In its initial provisional findings, published in April, the CMA provisionally cleared Amazon’s investment on the…
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May- 2020 -11 MayHigh Street
Mike Ashley and Peter Cowgill in race to acquire Office
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley and JD Sports owner Peter Cowgill have both been revealed as bidders for footwear retailer Office. According to Sky News, it comes as the chain seeks funding to support it through the current coronavirus pandemic. Two other unnamed parties who have also expressed an interest…
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6 MayClothing & Shoes
CMA blocks JD Sport merger
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced its decision to block JD Sports’ purchase of Footasylum after finding it would “leave shoppers worse off”. Following an in-depth investigation, the regulator concluded that this transaction would lead to a “substantial lessening” of competition, which would in turn leave shoppers with…
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