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ACM clears acquisition of Intertoys by Mirage

Mirage Holdings B.V. wishes to acquire Intertoys B.V. On 4 September 2019, these firms requested the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) for clearance for this acquisition.

  • Mirage Holdings B.V. operates the retail chains Blokker and Big Bazar. Blokker sells household items, while Big Bazar mainly sells low-priced branded products related to personal care, cleaning, and food. Both chains also sell toys on a limited scale.
  • Intertoys sells toys and videogames in its stores.

ACM has assessed this planned acquisition. It has no reason to assume that the acquisition would harm competition on the Dutch toy market. Sufficient competition will remain after the acquisition. On 18 September 2019, ACM therefore cleared the acquisition. The clearance decision can be found by clicking on the link below.

Exemption from the waiting period

Usually, businesses would only be allowed to proceed with an acquisition if ACM granted its definitive clearance. This waiting period ensures that nothing would need to be reversed if ACM did not clear the acquisition.

Intertoys was in serious financial trouble, which could only be solved by a swift acquisition. Compliance with the waiting period would jeopardize business continuity, mainly because it would prevent Intertoys from being able to buy toys in time for the crucial holiday season at the end of the year. Therefore, ACM already granted a provisional clearance for the acquisition, immediately after the notification on 5 September 2019 (exemption from the waiting period). The exemption decision can also be found by clicking on the link below.

See also:

20-09-2019 Mirage Holdings cleared to acquire Green Swan Logistics (Intertoys) (concentration decision) (in Dutch)