The Lithuanian Competition Council clears a merger in the market for retail sale of daily consumer goods subject to stores divestments and termination of lease agreements (Maxima LT)

On 18 September 2008, the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter the “Competition Council”) conditionally cleared the proposed acquisition and lease of commercial premises by Maxima LT UAB (hereinafter “Maxima LT”) from independent retailers. According to the Competition Council, conditions were necessary for the clearance of the concentration, as the acquisition and lease of commercial premises by Maxima LT in particular regions in Lithuania could have raised competition concerns. An interesting aspect of the decision is that the Competition Council considered the acquisition and lease of commercial premises to constitute a notifiable concentration. Maxima LT is engaged in retail trade of daily consumer goods. The Lithuanian market for retail sales