Markets Wired

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a modified final order settling charges that the $28 billion merger of Koninklijke Ahold  and Delhaize Group, which together own five well-known U.S. grocery store chains, would likely be anticompetitive.

Under the proposed order, first announced in July 2016, the companies are required to sell 81 stores to seven divestiture buyers.  The proposed order calls for prior Commission approval before one of the divestiture buyers, Supervalu, transfers or sells an ownership interest in an acquired store to another party. This modified final order approves Supervalu’s proposed joint venture transaction with Donstekim Enterprises, LLC, regarding its acquired stores.

The Commission vote approving the modified final order was 3-0. (FTC File No. 151 0175; the staff contacts are Alexis Gilman, 202-326-2579, and Dan Ducore, 202-326-2526, Bureau of Competition.)

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