The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection initiated the second stage of proceedings concerning the acquisition of Platon by Empik

Empik is a company which engages in the sale of goods such as books, newspapers and magazines, music, films, multimedia, electronic equipment and tickets for cultural events. Platon, on the other hand, is a book wholesaler and distributor. Both undertakings pursue their business on a nationwide scale.

The data on the participants of the concentration scheme provided by Empik are based solely on the estimates of the applicant itself. The absence of credible and publicly available information makes it impossible to conduct an appropriate assessment of the concentration – including, in particular, the impact thereof on the markets which are common to both Empik and Platon, such as the non-specialist book market (fiction, popular science literature, guidebooks etc.). For the above reason, the President of the UOKiK has decided to conduct a market survey.

Additional information

Pursuant to the amended act on competition and consumer protection which entered into force on January 18, 2015, the proceedings pertaining to concentration now consist of two stages. The first stage of the proceedings takes up to one month; however, in cases which:

• are particularly complicated,
• in which it is reasonably likely that a significant competition-restricting effect will occur on the market as a result of the concentration, or
• which require a market survey to be carried out,

the proceedings may be extended by an additional period of a maximum of four months. The adoption of a decision on the extension of the deadline for the proceedings is by no means determinative of the ruling which may be given in the future.

Detailed information on the provisions governing the concentration control procedure may be found in the Explanation of the criteria and procedure for the notification of concentrations.

Additional information for the media:

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