Decision Nº M/05/042 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2005-07-25

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Parties: St. James's Street Properties,ABF Holdings
• Date: 25 July 2005
• Decision Number: M/05/042
• Status: Preliminary investigation (Phase 1)
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Decision Date: 25 July 2005

1

Determination No. M/05/042 of the Competition Authority, dated 25th July 2005,

under Section 21 of the Competition Act, 2002

Notification No. M/05/042 – Proposed acquisition by ABF Holdings Limited of

Littlewoods Stores Holdings Limited and St. James’s Street Properties Limited

Introduction

1. On 14th July 2005 the Competition Authority, in accordance with Section 18 (1)

of the Competition Act, 2002 (“the Act”) was notified, on a mandatory basis, of a

proposal whereby ABF Holdings Limited would acquire Littlewoods Stores

Holdings Limited and St. James’s Street Properties Limited (together

“Littlewoods”).

The Parties

2. ABF Holdings Limited is 100% owned by ABF Investments plc, which in turn is

99% owned by Associated British Food plc. ABF is an international food,

ingredients and retail group head-quartered in the United Kingdom. It operates

businesses in four segments: grocery; primary foods and agriculture; ingredients;

and retail. ABF has a number of businesses that are established in Ireland or

which make sales into Ireland. One of these is Penny’s, the retail clothing arm of

ABF in the State.

3. Littlewoods are wholly-owned subsidiaries of LW Finance Limited. Littlewoods

stores currently occupy 120 high street locations across the UK, which operate

under the Littlewoods brand. There are two Littlewoods stores in Northern

Ireland, however Littlewoods has no activities in the State.

Analysis

4. The proposed transaction does not give rise to competition concerns, since the

target Littlewoods has no activities in the State.