BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The European Commission on Friday said it has opened an in-depth investigation into the acquisition of office supplies distributor Office Depot by its competitor Staples, both of the US under the EU Merger Regulation rules.
The Commission said it has concerns that the takeover could lead to price increases and less choice in the market for the supply of office products to business customers through international contracts in the European Economic Area (EEA), as well as in the market for the supply of office products to business customers through national contracts in the Netherlands and Sweden.
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, observed, 'All companies and organizations, big or small, need office supplies for their daily work. We are opening this in-depth investigation to make sure that the merger of two of the main suppliers of office products will not have a negative effect on competition.'
Meanwhile, office supplies retailer Staples, Inc., responding to the Commission's investigation, in a statement said it would continue to cooperate with the European Commission's review of the acquisition.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX