CMA approves Sainsbury's acquisition of HRG

On Friday, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) “unconditionally” cleared the acquisition by Sainsbury's of Home Retail Group, opting against a phase 2 investigation of the deal which would have delayed the process by months.

In April 2016, Sainsbury’s and HRG agreed to a cash-and-share offer that valued the Argos-owner at £1.4 bn, or 171.5p a share. The following month, the CMA said it was looking at whether the deal would result in “a substantial lessening of competition” for consumers. “This is an important step in the deal process,” the two companies said in a joint statement.

“The combination of both businesses will create a multi-product, multi-channel proposition with fast delivery networks, giving customers what they want, whenever and wherever they want it.”

The acquisition, expected to complete in the Q3 2016, still needs to be given the green light by the Financial Conduct Authority and Home Retail Group shareholders – investors are set to vote on the deal at a shareholder meeting next week.

The deal allows Sainsbury’s to broaden its no-food ranges and acquire Argos’s leading online delivery business. The retailer said it plans to relocate many Argos stores into under-occupied space in its Sainsbury's supermarkets, giving customers the opportunity to shop for an extended range of non-food items.

Earlier this month, Sainsbury’s reaffirmed its intention to acquire Home Retail Group, despite the economic uncertainty following the Brexit vote in June. “We remain absolutely convinced by the strategic rationale of the deal and we think it will strengthen our business. We remain committed to making the deal happen,” said chief executive Mike Coupe.

Read the related news stories here:-

HRG Board backs £1.4bn Sainsbury's deal

Sainsbury's to create 150 digital roles

John Walden to step down as HRG CEO

Source: Insight DIY Team

If you want to make sure that you don't miss the very latest breaking news and industry comment and insight like this, then sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

To advertise on the Insight DIY website and download our media pack, click here.