RBB

16 October 2019

Sainsbury’s/Asda and the CMA’s GUPPI decision rule: On the money or basket case?

In April 2019, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued one of its highest-profile decisions in recent years, prohibiting the proposed merger between the supermarket chains Sainsbury’s and Asda. In so doing, it relied solely on Gross Upward Pricing Pressure Index (GUPPI) calculations to determine if local overlaps in the parties’ grocery stores were likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition (SLC).

This Brief considers the wider implications of the CMA’s mechanical use of GUPPI values as a decision rule in this case.

Downloadpdf (60 KB)

Our experience and expertise means our clients have the best chance of success before competition authorities and courts.

We have unrivalled experience across the full range of issues presented by competition law and related associated litigation.

Articles

All Articles
  • Article26/02/2024
    Trouble in store(s): The CMA’s new approach to local mergers post-MAGs
  • Article20/11/2023
    RBB response to South African Commission’s draft guidelines for public interest in merger control