Press Release: Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of V&S Vin & Sprit by Pernod Ricard, subject to conditions

The European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Swedish state-owned company V&S Vin & Sprit (V&S) by Pernod Ricard of France. The Commission's decision was conditional on the sale of a number of brands in markets where the Commission identified competition concerns. These were in the market for aniseed flavoured spirits in Finland, gin in Poland, vodka in Greece and cognac, port, Canadian whisky and gin in Sweden. In light of these commitments, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.