J Sainsbury plc / Bells Stores Ltd

OFT closed case: Completed acquisition by J Sainsbury plc of Bells Stores Ltd.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 15 March 2004

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Retail and wholesale
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 found not to qualify
• Closed: 15 March 2004

Affected market: Convenience grocery retailing

No. ME/1630/04

On the basis of the information available to it, the OFT has decided that the completed acquisition by J Sainsbury plc of Bells Stores Limited does not qualify for investigation under the mergers provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002, because neither the UK turnover test nor the share of supply test in section 23 of the Act is met.  A relevant merger situation has, therefore, not been created.

Published 15 March 2004