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.
-
Oct- 2022 -28 OctoberNews
CMA gives Morrisons green light for McColl’s takeover
Morrisons’ takeover of McColl’s is nearing completion after the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) announced it will accept the merger. The takeover deal will see the supermarket acquire 28 stores from McColl’s existing estate, which the watchdog has decided not to investigate further. The CMA said that Morrisons must “act in…
Read More » -
11 OctoberSupermarkets
CMA set to greenlight Morrisons’ McColl’s takeover
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is set to greenlight Morissons’ proposal to acquire McColl’s after accepting proposals for the supermarket giant to sell 28 stores to address competition concerns. It comes as the authority launched an investigation into Morrisons’ proposed £190m purchase of McColl’s-owned stores last July. Following Phase…
Read More » -
Sep- 2022 -9 SeptemberSupermarkets
CMA deems Morrisons’ takeover of McColl’s ‘would not harm shoppers’
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found competition concerns in only a small number of local areas after launching an investigation into Morrisons’ completed purchase of McColl’s, following the submission of the supermarket’s £190m deal for review. The authority said that overall, the deal “would not harm” the vast…
Read More » -
5 SeptemberSupermarkets
Waitrose admits to contract clauses which blocked rivals from opening stores
Waitrose has admitted to signing land agreements which included clauses that prevented rival supermarkets from setting up new stores near its own sites, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found. Waitrose has admitted to a total of seven breaches of the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010 between…
Read More » -
Aug- 2022 -10 AugustAnalysis
JD Sports and the Footasylum merger saga – what went wrong?
Following JD Sports’ acquisition of Footasylum for £91.1m in March 2019, The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), a non-ministerial government department responsible for strengthening business competition and reducing anti-competitive activities, announced it had launched an investigation into the deal on 24 July 2019, citing that it would examine whether the…
Read More » -
1 AugustClothing & Shoes
JD Sports sells Footasylum to German investor for £37.5m
JD Sports has revealed it has agreed to sell Footasylum Limited to German investment firm Aurelius Group in a £37.5m deal. JD said that the sale of Footasylum has been “agreed in accordance with the final undertakings issued by the Competition and Markets Authority (‘CMA’) on 14 January 2022, following…
Read More » -
Jul- 2022 -29 JulyClothing & Shoes
Asos, Boohoo and Asda investigated over sustainability claims
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is launching investigations into Asos, Boohoo and George at Asda to scrutinise eco-friendly and sustainability claims made by the fashion brands about their products, including clothing, footwear, and accessories. The move forms part of the CMA’s ongoing investigation into potential greenwashing, and reportedly follows…
Read More » -
27 JulyElectrical
Music Magpie posts H1 loss amid revenue drop
Music Magpie has posted a first half loss of £0.7m, down from profits of £4m, in the six months to 21 May 2022 as its revenues declined amid a post-pandemic drop in trading. During the period, its group revenues declined marginally to £71.3m (H1 2021: £72.8m) with Music Magpie adding…
Read More » -
21 JulyClothing & Shoes
JD Sports and Aurelius Group enter talks on Footasylum sale
JD Sports has reportedly entered discussions to sell Footasylum to Aurelius Group, a private equity firm, following a “costly” clash with the CMA, Sky News has reported. Sky News said it has learnt that the group is now attempting to negotiate a sale of the brand “despite growing difficulties in…
Read More » -
6 JulyNews
Amazon faces CMA investigation over suspected anti-competitive practice
Amazon is facing an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over concerns that practices affecting sellers on its UK marketplace may be anti-competitive and “could result in a worse deal for customers”. The CMA said its investigation will consider whether Amazon has a dominant position in the UK…
Read More »
