UK: Linklaters and Gibson Dunn join forces on Sainsbury’s-Asda deal

Linklaters and Gibson Dunn are advising on the proposed merger of supermarket giants Asda and Sainsbury’s, a deal that is set to reshape the UK’s grocery industry.

The merger discussions between the UK’s second- and third-largest food retailers were revealed this weekend, with an announcement to the London Stock Exchange the morning of 30 April, confirming the details of the proposed deal.

The combination, which is set to face close scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority, is set to create a company worth more than £10 billion (US$13.6 billion), with a combined market share ahead of current market leader Tesco.

Gibson Dunn is advising Walmart and Asda on competition issues, fielding a team led by London competition head Ali Nikpay and fellow competition partner Deirdre Taylor.

Nikpay joined the US firm in 2013 from the Office of Fair Trading, where he worked on some of the most significant mergers in recent years, including Anglo American and Lafarge, LSE and LCH. Clearnet, and Rank and Gala. Since joining Gibson Dunn he has advised on deals including Gala Coral’s 2016 merger with Ladbrokes.

Linklaters, meanwhile, is advising Sainsbury’s with a team led by corporate partners Iain Fenn and Michael Honan, UK competition head Nicole Kar, competition partner Simon Pritchard and managing associate Margot Lindsay.

Full Content: Global Competition Review

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