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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Apr- 2020 -30 AprilBusiness Bites
Coronavirus treatment hopes push stock markets up, and ‘Spoons to reopen in June
Investors are chirpy this morning amid hopes of a new coronavirus treatment that has been described as promising by the USA’s top infectious disease official, Dr Anthony Fauci. The experimental drug, called remdesivir, is produced by an American biopharmaceutical firm called Gilead Sciences, and is reckoned by US regulators to…
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23 AprilBusiness Bites
Scarves for face-masks will be part of the government’s post-pandemic advice
The government will advise the use of homemade facemasks once the pandemic measures are sufficiently relaxed for people to go back to work. As it tries to make sure that surgical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) does not face supply issues for NHS workers, the government said scarves or ‘homemade cloth…
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Mar- 2020 -25 MarchCoronavirus
Ebay and Amazon failing to prevent profiteering, says Which
Ebay and Amazon are failing to crack down on profiteering amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Which. An investigation led by the research group found a “consistent overpricing” of household items, including cleaning products, thermometers, baby formula and tampons. The CMA had previously warned traders to not exploit panic-buying amid…
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6 March
CMA urges retailers to ‘behave responsibly’ amid Coronavirus panic
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has urged retailers to not “take advantage of people” and “exploit” the current Coronavirus situation. It said it will consider any evidence that companies have “broken competition or consumer protection law” by hiking prices or making misleading claims about protective equipment. The CMA will…
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Feb- 2020 -27 FebruaryAnalysis
Heathrow’s third runway will not be taking off after all
Heathrow’s third runway has been ruled illegal by the court of appeal, because the government did not properly consider its own climate change pledges in line with the Paris Agreement when drawing up its plans. The court is actually on the same street as our offices here at Mulberry Media…
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27 FebruarySupermarkets
Walmart in talks over potential sale of stake in Asda
American retailer Walmart has revealed it is in talks over a potential sale of its stake in ‘Big Four’ grocer Asda. Following “inbound interest”, Walmart and Asda confirmed that both are currently considering whether there is an “opportunity” for a third party to invest in the UK grocer, alongside Walmart,…
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11 FebruarySport & Leisure
Shoppers could ‘lose out’ in JD Footasylum merger, says CMA
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found that the proposed £90m takeover of Footasylum by sportswear rival JD Sports “could leave shoppers worse off, both in-store and online”. After its initial Phase 1 review raised potential competition concerns, the CMA’s in-depth Phase 2 investigation has provisionally found that…
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Jan- 2020 -22 JanuaryPeople Moves
Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe to retire after six years
Sainsbury’s has announced its CEO Mike Coupe is set to retire this year, after almost six years in the role. He will continue his role as CEO until the end of May and will be succeeded by retail and operations director Simon Roberts, who will start his new role from…
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Dec- 2019 -6 DecemberClothing & Shoes
CMA issues interim order to halt JD Sports’ Footasylum acquisition
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued an interim order against the proposed £90m takeover of Footasylum by JD Sports, halting any further talks between the two companies until the watchdog’s investigation has been completed. Following the announcement of the deal back in March, the CMA launched an investigation…
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4 DecemberComment
Maintaining a sense of balance in the omnichannel
Marketers often face a challenge when balancing their use of online and offline channels. If one is much heavier than the other, marketing effectiveness can slump, lacking energy and appeal. Digital and physical can work in tandem to trigger consumer engagement and if this is timed correctly, they can complement…
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