ABF's Hovis takeover clears Britain review, flagged in Northern IrelandCompetition Review of ABF's Acquisition of Hovis(Corrects hyperlink in paragraph 5)Regulatory Findings and Provisional ClearanceMarch 26 (Reuters) - Britain's competition regulator on Thursday flagged competition risks in Northern Ireland over Associated British Foods' acquisition of rival Hovis, while provisionally clearing it in Britain after finding ABF's Allied Bakeries would otherwise close. Details from the CMA Interim ReportThe Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said in an interim report that an alternative buyer would have kept the business competing with bread maker Hovis in Northern Ireland. Impact on Allied Bakeries and Market CompetitionThe regulator also found that Allied Bakeries - which owns the Kingsmill brand - would shut down if the merger did not proceed, meaning competition between the two bakery suppliers would be lost in Great Britain regardless of the deal's outcome. Background of the AcquisitionPrimark-parent ABF, which also owns the Kingsmill, Allinson's, and Sunblestbrands, announced its deal to buy 135-year-old Hovis for an undisclosed sum in August last year. (Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Sumana Nandy)

Source: The Guardian March 26, 2026 07:24 UTC