• President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has granted his consent for the acquisition of Ruch by PKN Orlen.
• The conducted proceedings demonstrated that the transaction shall not result in a restriction of competition.

 The motion of Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen to obtain consent for the acquisition of Ruch company was submitted to UOKiK on 8^th April this year. The transaction involves the acquisition of shares in the share capital of Ruch and thus taking control over the company.

The activities of the undertakings involved in the concentration scheme overlap in the retailing of press and daily consumer goods (AKCU). As regards the PKN Orlen Group, sales are carried out through a chain of outlets at petrol stations, while Ruch sells press and other products in kiosks and press lounges.

Due to different sales models and different purchasing missions pursued at  their outlets, the two operators cannot be considered as direct competitors. There is also no doubt that after the acquisition of Ruch Orlen will continue to face competition from other press and AKCU vendors.

“The conducted proceedings demonstrated that the transaction shall not result in a restriction of competition. That is why I have approved the concentration. The decision is valid for two years,” says President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny.

Due to the high total turnover of the undertakings involved in the concentration scheme, the case was originally submitted to the European Commission. However, the EC, having considered PKN Orlen's motion and President of UOKiK's position, decided that it was the Polish Office that had the best knowledge and practice to deal with the case.

According to the rules, the transaction is subject to notification to the UOKiK if it involves entrepreneurs whose total turnover in the preceding year exceeded EUR 1 billion worldwide or EUR 50 million in Poland. The website of UOKiK publishes information on all concentration-related anti-trust proceedings conducted by the Office.

Additional information for the media:

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