M/21/050 Ard Services Limited (Circle K)/ certain companies from the Griffin Retail Group

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2021.10.28 Merger Announcement
M.21.050 Public Determination

Transaction details

The proposed acquisition by Ard Services Limited of certain companies from the Griffin Retail Group has been cleared by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Notification date	Decision date
Monday September 20, 2021	Thursday, October 28, 2021

Parties Involved	Business activities
Ard Services Limited	Ard Services Limited is a subsidiary of Circle K Ireland Holding Limited. Ard Services Limited operates Circle K’s Company Owned Company Operated (“COCO”) stores in Ireland and belongs to the group of companies comprising Alimentation Couche-Tard (“ACT”). ACT entered the Irish market in 2016 with the purchase of Topaz Energy Group Limited. All ACT Irish stores are forecourt convenience stores and are branded Circle K.
Griffin Retail Group	The Griffin Retail Group ("Griffin Group") are active in the convenience retailing of grocery goods as part of a symbol group of retail stores. Griffin Group operate Londis stores in the State (including an Insomnia coffee outlet adjoining the Sandyford Londis store). The stores also operate some franchises including Subway, Chopped, Insomnia and ‘Boomerang Donuts’. Nine of the convenience stores operated by the Griffin Group and the Insomnia coffee outlet adjoining the Sandyford Londis store, are being sold as part of the proposed transaction.

Parties Involved

Business activities

Ard Services Limited

Ard Services Limited is a subsidiary of Circle K Ireland Holding Limited. Ard Services Limited operates Circle K’s Company Owned Company Operated (“COCO”) stores in Ireland and belongs to the group of companies comprising Alimentation Couche-Tard (“ACT”). ACT entered the Irish market in 2016 with the purchase of Topaz Energy Group Limited. All ACT Irish stores are forecourt convenience stores and are branded Circle K.

Griffin Retail Group

The Griffin Retail Group ("Griffin Group") are active in the convenience retailing of grocery goods as part of a symbol group of retail stores. Griffin Group operate Londis stores in the State (including an Insomnia coffee outlet adjoining the Sandyford Londis store). The stores also operate some franchises including Subway, Chopped, Insomnia and ‘Boomerang Donuts’. Nine of the convenience stores operated by the Griffin Group and the Insomnia coffee outlet adjoining the Sandyford Londis store, are being sold as part of the proposed transaction.

Economic sector	Media merger
Retail & Wholesale Grocery	No

Submissions from third parties due by:
Phase 1	Phase 2
Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Current status: Completed
Cleared (Phase 1)

Authorised Officer Assigned	Contact Details
Kathryn MacGuill	Tel: (+353)1 4703692 E-mail: kathrynmacguill@ccpc.ie

Media enquiries: communications@ccpc.ie

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M/21/050 Ard Services Limited (Circle K)/ certain companies from the Griffin Retail Group

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