Watchdog eyes soft drinks merger
Thursday 14 February 2013
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EmailA £1.4 billion deal to merge Robinsons squash maker Britvic and Irn-Bru owner AG Barr was thrown into the balance today after it was referred to the Competition Commission.
The Office of Fair Trading said higher prices could not be ruled out if the tie-up went ahead because it reckoned Britvic's brands Pepsi and Tango were close enough to Irn-Bru and Orangina to raise concerns.
OFT chief economist Amelia Fletcher said: "People spend over £9bn each year on these drinks. This merger will see the UK market reduce from three to two main players."
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