Post by Damien Gerard

To all the distribution geeks out there: this was a particularly challenging one! Acquisition of 320+ retail shops operating under different models, 117 affected catchment areas (!), focus on proximity and gas station convenience stores with their specific market dynamics, vertical issues arising from the target's wholesale business, etc. Next to the assessment, consider the remedies: divestiture of stores operated under franchise or as part of gas station networks, FRAND wholesale distribution obligation, requirement to seek prior authorisation for future acquisitions of stores under supply contract, etc. Many thanks to the very resilient team of Belgian Competition Authority experts who carried this project through with utmost professionalism: Karel Marchand, Bert Willekens, Cedric Jackers, Homer Wagenaar, PhD, Arno Semey, Arnaud Leterme, Hanne Lauryssen and Steffie De Cock - one for the books!