WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Oct. 31, following a public comment period, that it has approved a modified final order settling charges against Koninklijke Ahold and Delhaize Group over their merger.
The FTC had alleged the $28 billion merger would likely be anti-competitive. The two companies own a total of five well-known U.S. grocery store chains.
The order, first announced in July, mandates that the companies sell 81 stores to seven divestiture buyers in order to complete the merger. One of the divestiture buyers, Supervalu, plans to transfer or sell ownership interest in an acquired store to another party. The FTC approved this action as part of the modified final order. Supervalu’s joint venture transaction will move forward with Donstekim Enterprises.
The FTC voted 3-0 to approve the modified final order.