Woolworths Limited - acquisition of a packaged liquor licence and business from Piedmonte Werribee Pty Ltd.
Summary
Woolworths Limited's acquisition of a packaged liquor licence and business from Piedmonte Werribee Pty Ltd.
File number
C2005/135
Industry
Liquor retailing
Outcome
Not Opposed
Date completed
30th August 2005
Merger type
Horizontal
Market definition
The relevant product market is the market for the retail sale of packaged liquor for off premises consumption. The relevant functional market is at the retail level and the relevant geographic market is a locally based one comprising Werribee and its surrounding areas.
Competition analysis
The ACCC decided not to oppose the acquisition primarily because there are over a dozen other retail liquor business outlets located within 9km of the target, none of which are owned by Woolworths. The ACCC formed the view that the combined influence of these competitors is likely to constrain the ability of Woolworths to sustainably increase prices above competitive levels. The ACCC therefore concluded that the acquisition is unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market pursuant to section 50 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
