Essilor and Luxottica seek clearance for global merger

Essilor and Luxottica seek clearance for global merger

The Commerce Commission has received a clearance application from Essilor International (Compagnie Générale d’Optique) S.A. and Luxottica Group S.p.A relating to the global merger of the two parties.

Essilor is a global manufacturer and wholesale supplier of ophthalmic lenses. In New Zealand, Essilor is principally active in the wholesale supply of finished prescription lenses to optical retailers, although Essilor is also active in the retail market to a limited extent via its online store: clearly.co.nz.

Luxottica is a global manufacturer and wholesale supplier of prescription frames and sunglasses. In New Zealand, Luxottica’s activities are limited to the wholesale supply of prescription frames and sunglasses, and the retail of optical products and services (via its OPSM, Sunglass Hut and Oakley stores).

The proposed merger brings together a supplier of prescription lenses (Essilor) with a supplier of prescription frames and sunglasses (Luxottica).

A public version of the clearance application will be available shortly on the Commission’s Clearances Register.

Background
When considering a proposed merger, the Commission must determine whether any competition that would be lost with the merger would be substantial.

We will give clearance to a proposed merger only if we are satisfied that the merger is unlikely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.

A fact sheet explaining how the Commission assesses a merger application is available on the clearances page.

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