Tesco asks CMA to speed up Booker merger review

Supermarket giant Tesco gave the Competition and Markets Authority a hurry-along on Thursday, over its proposed merger with wholesale group Booker, first announced on 27 January.

The FTSE 100 company said following “continued constructive dialogue”, and further to the commencement of the CMA's Phase 1 review on 30 May, it had now requested that the CMA used its "fast track" process to allow it to move more quickly to examining the merger through a detailed Phase 2 process.

“We expect the CMA to issue an early decision to refer to Phase 2 within the next two weeks,” Tesco’s board said in its statement.

“We are grateful to the CMA team for the work they have done to date and appreciate the support of customers, suppliers and colleagues during this process.”