Merger Update: William Grant / Famous Grouse

Start of CMA Merger Investigation: Anticipated acquisition by William Grant & Sons Group of The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt and affiliated brands

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the Parties on 29 January 2025 and has a deadline of 27 March 2025 for its phase 1 decision.

Invitation to comment: Closes 12 February 2025

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above to:

wgands.famousgrouse@cma.gov.uk

Case Officer: Maimoona Amin
maimoona.amin@cma.gov.uk

Principal Case Officer: Olivia King
olivia.king@cma.gov.uk

Your name and contact details are your personal data. In collecting, receiving, storing, accessing and using your personal data, the CMA, as controller, is processing your personal data. The CMA processes personal data in accordance with data protection law. The CMA is processing your personal data so that it can contact you again, should it need further help or information from you, in order to carry out its merger work under Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002. For more information about how the CMA processes personal data and your rights relating to that data, please see our Privacy Notice.