We advised both parties on VTech’s acquisition of LeapFrog. After an in-depth Phase II investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority signaled its provisional intention to unconditionally clear the merger. The parties’ products overlap within “toddler electronic learning toys” and “child tablets” in the UK. A survey commissioned by CRA showed that consumers consider a wide range of toys when making purchasing decisions. This, coupled with CRA evidence of the dynamic nature of the toy business, the large number of toy manufacturers, and the considerable choice and bargaining power that retailers had in choosing from suppliers, made it clear that the merger would not lead to a reduction in competition.
Vertical mergers and consumer Impact: new articles from Michael Salinger and Martino De Stefano
CRA congratulates Senior Consultant and Boston University Professor Michael Salinger and CRA Vice President Martino De Stefano for recently publishing two...