bpost gets green light from BCA to buy Belgian activities of Lagardère Travel Retail

The Belgian Competition Authority has approved bpost’s plans to buy the Belgian activities of Lagardère Travel Retail. The Authority’s approval is subject to the fulfilment of a number of commitments – but bpost says these commitments are in line with its ambitions for this project.

According to bpost: “These commitments primarily focus on maintaining a good quality press distribution, the return system and the shop subscriptions. bpost also undertakes not to privilege its own points of sale, whether during the selection of new postal points or on the level of quality of press distribution. Lastly, bpost will continue to offer the services of the Kariboo! parcel delivery network to other operators.”

bpost added: “Further to the green light from the Belgian Competition Authority, we can now concentrate on finalising this transaction before the end of this year. bpost is convinced this project will be positive for the sector, clients and the employees.”

Of course, the bpost plan that is really generating interest in the postal industry is the company’s renewed interest in PostNL. As previously report, bpost has submitted an improved offer which values PostNL at €2.5bn and it is now awaiting a response.