The UK competition regulator has launched a probe into the £780 million (US$1.02 billion) merger of Marston’s and Carlsberg’s UK brewing operations.
The two brewers agreed a deal in May to merge Marston’s brewing arm with Carlsberg’s UK division and create a new joint venture.
However, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on Wednesday, August 19, that it has begun a formal competition enquiry into the merger and invited comments from interested parties.
The CMA statedit has launched a “phase 1” investigation following the European Commission’s decision to refer the case to the United Kingdom.
The competition body will consider whether the deal constitutes a merger under the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, if it could be expected to lead to “a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.”
The invitation to comment is open until September 2, with the deadline for the phase 1 decision and whether to launch a more in-depth “phase 2” investigation by October 19.
Full Content: The Grocer
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