Ziengs conditionally allowed to acquire stores of rival Scapino

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has provisionally cleared the acquisition of the locations of Dutch shoe store chain Scapino by rival chain Ziengs. This has been laid down by ACM in an emergency decision.

With the emergency decision, the activities of the Scapino stores can be continued. Chris Fonteijn, Chairman of the Board of ACM, explains: “In this emergency decision, we have provisionally cleared the acquisition. A fresh start for many of the Scapino stores can thus be realized quickly.”

Ziengs is a company with over 70 locations in various cities across the Netherlands. The shoe stores of Scapino were created by Ziengs’ former owner and founder. Scapino currently has approximately 200 locations.

Emergency procedure for acquisition
Under normal circumstances, acquisitions can only be realized after all parties involved in the acquisition have notified ACM of their plans, and ACM has issued a final decision.

Ziengs has made a plausible case about the urgency of the situation, since it needs to maintain adequate inventory levels. ACM will still issue a substantive decision regarding this acquisition. This emergency decision does not prejudice the substantive decision in any way.