Poundland / 99p Stores merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Poundland Group plc of 99p Stores Ltd.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
10 February 2015
Last updated
18 September 2015 — See all updates
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Retail and wholesale
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 2 clearance
Opened:
10 February 2015
Closed:
18 September 2015

Administrative timetable

Phase 2 date Action
23 October 2015 Statutory deadline
Mid-October 2015 Publish final report
Late September 2015 Final deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions
Early September 2015 Consider possible remedies and response hearing(s) (if required)
Mid to late August 2015 Notifying provisional findings and possible remedies (if required)
Early August 2015 Deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions required before provisional findings
July/August 2015 Main party hearing, verify information, consider provisional findings
Mid-June 2015 Publish statement of issues
May/June 2015 Gather information, issue questionnaires, hear third parties
11 May 2015 Merger reference made

Phase 2

Final report

Provisional findings

25 August 2015: The CMA has provisionally cleared Poundland Group plc’s anticipated acquisition of 99p Stores Ltd.

Undertakings

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Responses to issues statement

Hearing summaries

As part of its evidence-gathering process, the CMA is holding hearings with a range of industry customers and interested parties.

Initial submissions

Analysis

Issues statement

25 June 2015: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Inquiry group appointed

14 May 2015: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group: Philip Marsden (Chairman), Tim Tutton, Katherine Holmes and John Krumins.

Notice of suspension

Terms of reference

17 April 2015: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Poundland Group plc of 99p Stores Ltd for an in-depth phase 2 investigation.

Phase 1

Phase 1 date Action
15 May 2015 Decision published
9 April 2015 Decision announced
10 February to 25 February 2015 Invitation to comment
10 February 2015 Launch of merger inquiry

Reference decision

Reference unless undertakings accepted

The full text of the decision is available below.

Launch of CMA merger inquiry

Published 10 February 2015
Last updated 18 September 2015 + show all updates

  1. Final report published.

  2. Final report press release published.

  3. First published.

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