// Sports Direct criticises CMA over “inaccurate estimates” in its investigation into JD Sports’ Footasylum takeover
// Sports Direct said the CMA “does not have a meaningful, if any, presence in these markets”
Sports Direct has said the CMA published “incorrect estimates” of its market share data in the investigation into JD Sports’ £90 million acquisition of Footasylum.
In a statement published on the London Stock Exchange this morning, Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley said he disagreed with the CMA’s estimates.
“I have been watching this from the side lines to date and now having had the opportunity of considering the CMA decision, I would now welcome the opportunity to provide the CMA with the correct market data,” Ashley said.
“For example, our market share of Adidas Originals in Sports Direct is virtually zero.”
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The statement added: “The CMA has published inaccurate estimates of Sports Direct’s share of the supply of ‘sports-inspired casual apparel and also footwear’, both on an in-store and online basis, which wrongly suggest that Sports Direct would have a comparable share of supply to the merged parties.”
Sports Direct also said the CMA “does not have a meaningful, if any, presence in these markets”.
It said it “welcomes the opportunity” for the CMA to correct “these percentages” during its investigation into the JD Sports and Footasylum merger.
Earlier this month, Sports Direct called for an investigation on sports giants Adidas and Nike after complaining about their dominance in the market.
The company said the “must-have” retailers hold a bargaining position which allows them to control the supply and the price of their products.
Adidas has blocked Sports Direct from selling some of its products, Sports Direct said.
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