The Finnish Market Court upholds the Competition Authority’s decision to block a merger between grocery wholesalers, making it the first merger ever prohibited in the country (Kesko / Heinon Tukku)

Kesko’s acquisition of Heinon Tukku blocked by the Finnish Market Court* The merger between Finnish grocery wholesalers, Kesko and Heinon Tukku, was prohibited by the Market Court on 17 February 2020. In accordance with the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority’s (FCCA) proposal, the Market Court found that Kesko’s acquisition of Heinon Tukku would have harmed competition in the market for broadline distribution of groceries to foodservice customers. This is the first time a merger has been