Booker's controversial £140 million acquisition of Makro has finally been given the green light.
The deal between the two wholesale giants - first announced last May - was given the green light by the Competition Commission this morning.
The UK Office of Fair Trading had expressed doubts over the deal last year claiming it could damage the wholesale cash-and-carry sector, which is worth an estimated £11 billion to the UK's economy.
After launching a complaint to the Competition Comission, Amelia Fletcher, OFT's chief economist, said in November:'This merger brings together two of the main cash and carry wholesalers in Great Britain and we are concerned that the loss of rivalry due to the merger may result in higher prices or a reduction in service to both retailers and caterers, and ultimately to consumers.'
The completed merger creates a wholesaler, Booker-Makro, with sales of around£5 billion and a network of over 200 depots.
