Competition Markets Authority
Statutory timetable
Date | Action |
---|---|
24 March 2022 | Decision announced |
27 January 2022 | Launch of merger inquiry |
27 January 2022 to 10 February 2022 | Invitation to comment |
26 October 2021 | Initial enforcement order |
Phase 1
Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
9 June 2022: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the completed acquisition WM Morrison Supermarkets Limited by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Holdings, LLC.
- (28.7.22)
- (9.6.22)
Undertakings in lieu of reference: now closed
3 May 2022: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the completed acquisition of WM Morrison Supermarkets Limited by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Holdings, LLC.
- (3.5.22)
- (3.5.22)
- Press release: Petrol station proposals provisionally clear way for Morrisons deal (3.5.22)
CMA to consider undertakings offered
7 April 2022: CD&R offered undertakings to the CMA, which involve divesting petrol filling stations. The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by CD&R, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.
- (3.5.22)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
24 March 2022: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.
- (3.5.22)
- (24.3.22)
- Press notice: CMA finds CD&R/Morrisons merger raises competition concerns (24.3.22)
Launch of merger inquiry
27 January 2022: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (27.1.22)
Invitation to comment: Closed
27 January 2022: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.
These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.
Initial enforcement order
26 October 2021: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Holdings, LLC (CD&R); Motor Fuel Limited and CD&R Firefly Holdco Limited; Market Bidco Limited and Market Topco Limited and WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc (Morrisons) in relation to the acquisition by CD&R of Morrisons.
- (29.10.21)
Amendments / consents granted
- (9.6.22)
- (28.7.22)
- (28.7.22)
- (9.6.22)
- (6.5.22)
- (6.5.22)
- (6.5.22)
- (31.3.22)
- (9.6.22)
- (24.2.22)
- (13.1.22)
- (22.12.21)