Decision Nº M/11/005 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2011-03-30

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Date: 30 March 2011
• Submitted Date: 25 January 2011
• Decision Number: M/11/005
• Parties: JD Sports Fashion Plc,Champion Sports (Holdings)
• Decision Date: 30 March 2011
• Court: Commissioner for Environmental Information

Merger Notification No. M/11/005 JD Sports/Champion Sports

DETERMINATION OF MERGER NOTIFICATION M/ 11/005 -

JD Sports/Champion Sports

Section 21 of the Competition Act 2002

Proposed acquisition by JD Sports Fashion plc of Champion Sports

(Holdings)

Dated 30 March 2011

Introduction

1. On 25 January 2011, i n accordance w ith section 18 of t he Competition

Act 2002 (the “Act”), the Competiti on Authority (the “Authority”)

received a noti fication of a proposed transaction whereby JD Sports

Fashion plc (“JD Sports”), through i ts subsidiary The John David Group

Limited, would acquire sole control of Champion Sp orts (Holdings).

2. On 23 February 2011, the Authority served two Requirements for

Further Informati on pursuant to section 20( 2) of the Act on JD Sports

and Cha mpion Sports (Holdings) respectively. Thi s automatical ly

suspended the procedure for the Authority’s phase one as sessment.

3. Upon receipt of the responses to the Requirements for Furthe r

Information the new “appropriate date” became 4 March 2011 in

accordance with section 19(6) of the Act.

The Undertakings Involved

The Acquirer

4. JD Sports, which is ultimately controlled by Pentland Group plc

(“Pentland”), is a public company incorporated i n England an d is

quoted on the London Stock Exchange. JD Sports is active in the

United King dom (“U.K.”) and the State as a retailer of branded sports

and fashion clothing

1

and footwear

2

, accessories (hats, scarves and

bags) and replica kit

3

.

5. JD Sports operate 8 retail stores in the State

4

and 11 in Northern

Ireland

5

. In the State, the 8 retails stores are located in Dublin City

1

Branded sports clothing includes items such as tracksuits, sweatshirts, t-shirts/polo shirts,

shorts, jackets and gym wear. Branded fashion clothing includes all other items of clothing not

specifically designed for sporting activities.

2

Branded sports footwear includes items such as trainers, casual, running and football footwear.

Branded fashion footwear includes all other items of footwear not specifically designed for

sporting activities.

3

Replica kit is the authentic reproduction of the short and long-sleeved shirt (jersey), shorts and

socks with the logo or trademark of a club, national team, manufacturer and/or any sponsors,

and which are worn by the relevant club or team’s players when competing in tournaments.

4

Included in this 8 is one store operating under the SIZE? brand, a store that sells branded

footwear only.