The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has cleared the proposed acquisition by BWG Foods of Tuffy Wholesale, subject to a number of legally binding commitments.

BWG is involved in the wholesale distribution of food and grocery goods to its affiliated stores, and to stores operated by independent retailers.

Tuffy Wholesale is an Irish-owned wholesale business and a member of Stonehouse Marketing Limited (Stonehouse) and Gala Retail Services Limited (GRSL).

Commercially sensitive information

The competition watchdog said that its investigation had identified potential concerns about the deal.

It was particularly concerned about the potential for BWG, through its ownership of Tuffy Wholesale, to obtain access to commercially sensitive information about GRSL or Stonehouse.

To address these concerns, BWG proposed a number of binding commitments − including that BWG would dispose fully of Tuffy Wholesale’s shareholdings in Stonehouse and GRSL.

“The CCPC took the commitment into account in the determination, and the commitments form part of the basis of the CCPC’s determination to clear the proposed acquisition, and so are legally binding on BWG,” the commission said in a statement.