ACM imposes conditions on merger Coop/Plus – mr. J. Sterk – December 23, 2021
Today, ACM announced that it would approve the merger under the condition that shops must be sold in 12 market areas, otherwise there would be too little competition in those market areas. The areas are: Harmelen, Hollandscheveld, Rolde, Ruurlo, Stolwijk, Terborg, Wehl, Groot Ammers, Wekerom, Ravenstein, Uddel and Vlieland. Businesses are also located in these areas.
Although the full decision has not yet been published, it seems to be possible to deduce from these areas that ACM has also included Plus’ participation in Spar in its considerations.
For the entrepreneurs involved, this means that solutions must be sought within a non-public period set by ACM. In the past, this has happened in a similar way, for example with the transition from C1000 to Jumbo. Which has not worked out well in all cases. Entrepreneurs involved must be assisted in this negotiation by experts, so that they can properly assess the opportunities and risks of the situation that has arisen. Now that Spar seems to be involved, it is also questionable whether there are still realistic alternatives available in some market areas? As a specialist in (supermarket) franchise and market leader, Ludwig & Van Dam has extensive experience in supervising this type of process.
For more information:
Jeroen Sterk – Sterk@ludwigvandam.nl
Alex Dolphijn – dolphijn@ludwigvandam.nl
Ludwig & Van Dam lawyers, franchise legal advice.
Do you want to respond? Then email to sterk@ludwigvandam.nl
Other messages
Article in Entrance: “New owner”
“The catering company where I work has been taken over. The new owner now says that I no longer have to work for him, but can he refuse me as an employee?”
Directors’ liability in the settlement of a franchise agreement
Privately, can the director of a franchisee legal entity be liable to the franchisor if the franchisee legal entity wrongfully fails to provide business to the franchisor?
Column Franchise + – mr. Th.R. Ludwig: “Towards strict liability”
The Supreme Court recently ruled in a prognosis issue.
Article in Entrance: “Rentals”
“The landlord increased the prices of the property every year, but he hasn't done this for 2 years, maybe he forgets. Can he still claim an overdue amount later?”
No valid appeal to non-compete clause in franchising
On 28 February 2017, ECLI:NL:RBGEL:2017:1469, the provisional relief judge of the District Court of Gelderland ruled on whether a franchisee could be bound by a non-compete clause.
Structurally unsound revenue forecasts from the franchisor
On 15 March 2017, the District Court of Limburg ruled in eight similar judgments (including ECLI:NL:RBLIM:2017:2344) on the franchise agreements of various franchisees of the P3 franchise formula.