The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has determined that Hunter Douglas which owns online blinds retailer Blinds2Go must sell the majority of its shares in a similar business, 247 Home Furnishings. Hunter Douglas had originally acquired a minority stake in 247 Home Furnishings in 2013 and went on to buy the remaining 51 per cent in 2019. Hunter Douglas also owns Hillarys and is a global business specialising in window blind and curtains.
The CMA concluded that the transaction would reduce the number of large businesses specialising in this niche from three to two and that this would impact on competition which could lead to higher prices for customers. Other competitors are, in the main, much smaller and there is limited competition both online and in other channels.
“As the independent group of CMA panel members found that competition concerns arise as a result of Hunter Douglas holding 100 per cent of the shares in 247, they hav concluded that requiring Hunter Douglas to sell 51 per cent of its shares in 247 is an effective way to offset the loss of competition from the 2019 transaction. The CMA will have full oversight of the sales process and will be required to approve potential buyers,” said the CMA in a statement.
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