Following an in-depth investigation, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has cleared the acquisition by movie theatre operator Kinepolis of competitor Utopolis, subject to the divestment of two multiplex cinemas (and some behavioural remedies).
CRA Vice President Raphaël De Coninck and Senior Academic Consultant Thibaud Vergé were retained as economic experts by the BCA to assess the parties’ economic submissions, including an econometric estimation of diversion ratios between the parties’ multiplexes, and a calculation of upward pricing pressure indicators and efficiencies.
For more information, please consult the BCA’s press release here.
