According to a report from Bloomberg, Sainsbury and Asda are arguing that officials got their math wrong and were duped about a rival’s intentions.
Sainsbury stepped up its push to salvage the deal on Thursday, March 14, before the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which stunned the supermarkets on February 20 by announcing harsher-than-expected findings on the £7.3 billion (US$9.6 billion) transaction. The CMA claimed its initial view was that the deal, —even with substantial store divestitures, —would likely bring higher prices and worse choice for shoppers.
Sainsbury is arguing that officials made basic counting errors in their analysis of the companies’ store networks, according to people familiar with the situation. The company also claims says Marks & Spencer Group Plc misled the regulator about a pending online-grocery agreement with Ocado Group Plc that changes the competitive landscape in the supermarket business, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private.
Full Content: Bloomberg
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
DOJ and FTC Introduce Website for Reporting Anti-Competitive Healthcare Practices
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
US Congress Advances Legislation to Compel TikTok Sale
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
UK Financial Sector Advocates Enhanced Regulatory Accountability
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Google and All 50 States Defend $700 Million Consumer Settlement
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Colorado Enacts First Law to Protect Consumer Brainwave Data
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI