Townsville Bulletin

BUNNINGS OK TO BUY BEAUMONT TILES

- ELI GREENBLAT

Perth-based conglomera­te Wesfarmers is set to add specialist retailer Beaumont Tiles to its stable of retail brands after the competitio­n regulator gave the green light to its acquisitio­n by hardware giant Bunnings.

The Australian Competitio­n and Consumer Commission said on Thursday it would not oppose the acquisitio­n after an investigat­ion found the move was not likely to substantia­lly lessen competitio­n.

It adds another chain to the Wesfarmers portfolio, after Bunnings also recently acquired Adelaide Tools, while Wesfarmers stablemate Officework­s bought tech support company Geeks2u.

Bunnings has been buying up smaller specialist retailers to fill the gaps in its own hardware operations.

Beaumont Tiles will give it a stronger exposure to the tiling sector as well as other related building products segments.

“Our investigat­ion found that Bunnings is not a strong competitor in tile sales,” said ACCC chairman Rod Sims.

“The ACCC’S decision not to oppose this deal is based on the specific circumstan­ces and should not be read as any indication that the ACCC will reach the same conclusion in relation to future possible acquisitio­ns by Bunnings.”

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