Synopsis: |
This title was referred by the Office of Fair Trading on 3rd April 2007 when Woolworths Group PLC completed the acquisition of the Bertram Group Limited. The present day Woolworths was formed in August 2001 after the demerger from Kingfisher plc, with its principal business activities in the UK retail sector. Its' stores stock a narrow range of books, and its' wholesale operations are handled through two subsidiaries, Entertainment UK Limited and Total Home Entertainment Distribution Limited, which was acquired by Woolworth's in September 2006. Bertram originated as a family-run business set-up in 1968 and grew to become a national book wholesaler. Bertram's primary activities are acting as a wholesaler through its Bertram Books division which is one of the three largest trade wholesalers. Bertram was acquired by Entertainment UK Limited on 1 February 2007.As a result of this transaction, Bertram ceased to be distinct from enterprises carried on by, or under Woolworths. Bertram's UK turnover exceeds GBP 70 million, so the Commission states that under the turnover test as set out in the Enterprise Act 2002 the relevant merger situation is satisfied.The Commission's overall conclusion was that the merger would not result or be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) in the market for the supply of books to retailers in the UK, both for supermarkets and other retailers, as well as the supply of books to libraries. |