Acquirer(s)

  • Woolworths Limited and Lowe's Companies Inc (Joint Venture)

Target(s)

  • G Gay & Co

Summary

In February 2012, Woolworths Limited informed the ACCC that Woolworths Limited and Lowe's Companies Inc through HTH Stores Pty Limited proposed to acquire from G Gay & Co all the business assets and certain liabilities associated with the businesses of Home Hardware Ballarat, Home Hardware Wendouree and Ballarat Building Suppliers. Following a public review, on 4 October 2012 the ACCC announced that it would oppose the acquisition.

Market definition

Please refer to the attached Public Competition Assessment.

Competition analysis

Please refer to the attached Public Competition Assessment.

Timeline

Date Event

ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.

Closing date for submissions from interested parties.

ACCC requested further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline suspended. Former proposed decision date for announcement of ACCC's findings of 22 March 2012 delayed.

ACCC received further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline recommenced.

ACCC published a Statement of Issues outlining preliminary competition concerns.

Closing date for submissions relating to Statement of Issues.

ACCC requested further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline suspended.

ACCC received further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline recommenced.

ACCC announced it would oppose the proposed acquisition.