A concentration in the press distribution market to be reviewed by the Italian Competition Authority
The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has opened a second phase investigation into the acquisition of M-DIS Distribuzione Media (M-Dis) and of Servizi Stampa Liguria (SSL) of the joint control of Ge-Dis ( Case C11824 ). M-Dis nationally supplies to retailers press and other products. Ge-Dis is also active in the distribution of the afore mentioned products only in the city of Genoa. SSL is a dealer that provides Genoa-based retailers with press products and phone cards. The relevant product market is the market for the local distribution of press and non-press product through newsstands and other licensed retailers. The city of Genoa and surrounding areas constitutes the relevant geographic market. According to the ICA, the notified merger may give raise to horizontal and vertical competition concerns. As for the former, the merging parties would have in aggregate a very high market share in the region of 80-85% in the Genoa local market for the distribution of newspapers and